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Purpose@#Intestinal Behcet’s disease (BD) is a systemic autoimmune disease for which treatment options are limited. As a prospective therapeutic strategy for intestinal BD, anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-α) agents have received increasing attention. In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-TNF-α agents for patients with intestinal BD. @*Materials and Methods@#We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to July 1, 2021 and articles that met the eligibility criteria were further assessed. Pooled rates were synthesized by a randomized effects model using Stata software. @*Results@#Eleven clinical trials covering 671 patients with intestinal BD were included. According to compositive data, the pooled rate for remission was 39% [95% confidence interval (CI) 26–52] in patients receiving anti-TNF-α agents. Intestinal symptoms were cured in 70% (95% CI 53–84) of the patients, and the rate for endoscopic healing was 65% (95% CI 52–78). Corticosteroid discontinuation was achieved in 43% (95% CI 28–58) of the patients, and the dose reduction of corticosteroid was 20.43 mg (95% CI 13.4–27.46). There were 239 adverse events and 80 serious adverse events during follow-up. @*Conclusion@#Our study indicated that anti-TNF-α agents may serve as an effective treatment with acceptable safety for patients with intestinal BD. However, more robust evidence from randomized controlled trials is urgently needed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of anti-TNF-α agents for those patients.
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Object:To explore the effects of shared decision making-based intervention on decisional conflict and health literacy in stable coronary artery disease patients.Methods:A total of 86 stable coronary artery disease patients were divided into experimental group and control group according to the admission order, with 43 cases in each group. The patients in the control group recieved routine nursing, basis on this, the experimental group carried out shared decision making program. Before and after 1 month of intervention, the effects was assessed by Decisional conflict scale (DCS) and Health literacy management scale (HeLMS), respectively.Results:Before intervention, there was no significant difference in DCS and HeLMS scores between two group( P>0.05). After intervention, the information & values, decision uncertainty and total DCS scores were (6.95±2.13) pionts, (3.44±1.18) pionts and (20.95±3.99) pionts, significantly lower than in the control group (8.77±2.33) pionts, (4.95±1.46) pionts, (25.56±4.03) pionts; the information acquisition ability, interaction ability, willingness to improve health, willingness of financial support and total HeLMS scores were (36.77±4.85) pionts, (35.74±4.58) pionts, (15.07±1.55) pionts, (6.53±1.76) pionts, (94.12±6.44) pionts, significantly higher than in the control group [(34.37±5.84) pionts, (33.19±5.90) pionts, (14.23±1.43) pionts, (5.81±1.29) pionts, (87.60±9.18) pionts], the difference was statistically significant ( t values were 2.070-5.321, P<0.05). Conclusion:Shared decision making can effectively alleviate decisional conflict and improve health literacy of patients with stable coronary artery disease.
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Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of patients with decompensated hepatitis C cirrhosis in hospital from 2012 to 2019. Methods Data of 496 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis who were treated in the inpatient department of the hospital from 2012 to 2019 were collected. The age and gender distribution, basic information, the first complications during follow-up and the cause of death were analyzed. Results Patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were mainly male and ≥ 60 years old. The proportion of males was significantly higher than that of females (P<0.05). There were significant differences in gender, age, region, years of hepatitis C infection, family history of liver disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, antiviral treatment and child Pugh classification of liver function (P<0.05). The first complication of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis from highest to lowest rate were ascites, spontaneous peritonitis, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, esophagogastric varices and hepatic encephalopathy. During the follow-up period, 97 patients died, with an annual mortality rate of 4.89%. The causes of death ranked from high to low were primary liver cancer, hemorrhagic shock, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, multiple organ function failure, and septic shock. Conclusion Age, gender, region, years of hepatitis C infection, family history of liver disease, diabetes, hypertension, antiviral treatment and liver function were important influencing factors for the occurrence of decompensated liver cirrhosis in the hospital from 2012 to 2019. Health education should be strengthened and corresponding intervention measures should be formulated to reduce the incidence of decompensated liver cirrhosis.
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Objective:To investigate the normal range of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in 6-18-year-old children in China, so as to provide a data base for the establishment of FeNO standards for Chinese children.Methods:A multi-center study was conducted on 5 949 children aged 6-18 (3 101 males and 2 848 females) in 16 pro-vinces of 7 administrative districts in China.According to the technical standard recommended by American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Association, FeNO was measured, and the relationship of FeNO with the sex, age, height, weight, body mass index and region was discussed.Results:The geometric mean FeNO value of Chinese children aged 6-18 was 14.1 ppb, and its 95% confidence interval (skewness distribution) was 1.0-38.2 ppb.The geometric mean FeNO values of children aged 6-11 and 12-18 were 13.1 ppb and 15.7 ppb, respectively, and their 95% confidence intervals (skewness distribution) were 1.0-38.1 ppb and 2.0-38.2 ppb.For children at and under 11 years old, FeNO decreased with age, with a mean decline of 1 ppb per year.The multiple linear regression results suggested that there was a significant correlation between FeNO and age for children aged 6-11, and FeNO of children aged 12-18 was significantly correlated with the gender, height, and region(all P<0.01). Conclusions:FeNO values of Chinese children and adolescents in this study are higher than those obtained by the previous study conducted from 2010 to 2012.For children aged 12-18, 16 ppb is recommended as the clinical cut-off point.For children at or under 11 years old, the influence of age on FeNO should be considered, and the cut-off point of FeNO decreases by 1 ppb as the age is reduced by one year.
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Objective To discuss the value of dual-input perfusion of 320 row CT on the efficacy evaluation of small cell lung cancer (SCLC).Methods A total of 18 patients with SCLC confirmed by pathology who received cisplatin plus etoposide chemotherapy between June 2016 and June 2018 in the 8th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital were collected.All patients received 320 row CT perfusion scan at 3 time points before chemotherapy,after 2 cycles and 4 cycles of chemotherapy.Tumor size,perfusion pseudo color map and bronchial arterial blood flow (BF),pulmonary flow (PF) and perfusion index (PI) were obtained.The efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated.The single factor analysis was used to make the group comparison.Pearson test was used to make correlation analysis.Results Two patients after 2 cycles of chemotherapy had complete remission (CR),another 2 patients after 4 cycles of chemotherapy had CR,and 3 patients of the above 4 cases with CR had abundant BF;after 4 cycles of chemotherapy,7 cases had partial remission (PR),6 cases had stable disease (SD),1 patient had progression of disease (PD).Dual-input perfusion of 320 row CT showed that 10 cases had the tumor area ＜ 15 cm2 and 8 cased had the tumor area ＞15 cm2 before the treatment.There was a negative correlation between PI and the tumor area (r =-0.694,P =0.026) on patients with the tumor area ＜ 15 cm2 before the treatment,and no correlation was found in patients with tumor area ＞15 cm2 (P ＞ 0.05).One case had Ⅳ degree of bone marrow suppression,and obvious adverse reactions were not seen in the rest of the patients.Conclusion Dual-input perfusion of 320 row CT based on the simple imaging can make an accurate quantitative judgement of the effect of SCLC according to perfusion parameter,which provides a new basis for curative effect evaluation on SCLC.
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Objective To evaluate the role of treadmill exercise‐stress echocardiography in the assessment of left ventricular ( LV ) function in patients with slow coronary flow ( SCF ) ,and discuss the possible mechanism of SCF . Methods Forty‐six patients with diagnosis of SCF were enrolled as SCF group . Forty age and sex matched adults were included as control group . All subjects had underwent clinical evaluation and exercise stress echocardiography . LV diastolic and systolic functions were assessed by conventional echocardiography , tissue Doppler imaging and two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography at rest and during exercise . Results ①LV function in patients with SCF at rest :LV peak systolic longitudinal strain ( LS) was lower in patients with SCF than that in controls ( P ＜0 .05) . T here was no difference of LV ejection fraction ( LVEF) between the two group( P＞0 .05) . Early diastolic mitral annulus velocity ( M itral e′) and the ratio between the early mitral inflow velocity and Mitral e′( M itral E/e′) were significantly decreased in SCF group( all P＜0 .01 ) . ②LV function during exercise :LVEF ,LS and M itral e′were significant increased in two groups ( all P ＜0 .05 ) than those at rest ,but there was no significant difference of LVEF ,LS ,M itral e′ and M itral E/e′ between the two groups ( all P ＞ 0 .05 ) . Compared with control group ,ΔLS and ΔM itral e′were significantly higher in SCF group ( all P＜0 .05 ) . Conclusions LV systolic and diastolic function in patients with SCF are impaired at rest . LV systolic and diastolic function recover in patients with SCF during exercise .
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Objective To evaluate the effect of septal flash (SF) on left ventricular function and systolic synchrony in patients with complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging (2D-STI).Methods Sixty CLBBB patients with preserved LVEF were selected,and 30 healthy individuals serving as control group.The SF of CLBBB patients were evaluated using 2D-STI,and the CLBBB patients were categorized into two groups (SF group and NSF group) based on the present SF.Conventional echocadiography and 2D-STI were performed for all individuals.Results ①SF was present in 53.3％ of CLBBB patients with preserved LVEF and was not present in control group.②LV longitudinal peak stain of global (LS-G) in SF group was lower than those in both control group and NSF group (P ＜0.05),and there was no significant difference between control group and NSF group (P ＞0.05).③Compared with control group,there were significant increase of left atrial dimension and Mitral E/e'and decrease in mitral E/A and mitral e'in SF group and NSF group (P ＜0.05),while there was no significant difference between SF group and NSF group (P ＞0.05).④There was an increase in standard deviation of time to peak systolic strain for the 18 LV segments (LV-SDt) in SF group and NSF group,and the LV-SDt in SF group was higher than that in NSF group (P ＜0.01).Conclusions SF is present in 53.3 ％ of CLBBB patients,patients of CLBBB with SF have lower left ventricular systolic function and systolic synchrony.
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Objective To evaluate left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions of patients with coronary slow flow (CSF) according to left ventricular myocardial systolic/diastolic performances (MSP/MDP) by using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).Methods Fifty patients with CSF diagnosed with coronary angiography (CSF group) and 45 patients without CSF (control group) underwent STE.Left ventricular systolic longitudinal,radial and circumferential peak strain and early-diastolic peak strain rate were measured,and left ventricular MSP and MDP were calculated,then the results were statistically analyzed between the 2 groups.Results Compared with control group,left ventricular systolic longitudinal,radial and circumferential peak strain and early-diastolic peak strain rate,MSP and MDP reduced in CSF group (all P＜0.05).The mean thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) of coronary artery was negatively correlated with MDP (r=-0.23,P=0.04),and the number of affected coronary arteries was negatively correlated with MDP (r=-0.31,P=0.03).There was significant difference of MDP among patients with different numbers of affected coronary arteries and control group (all P＜0.05),and MDP in affected 2 and 3 coronary arteries patients were lower than those of the control group (all P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions is impaired in patients with CSF.The mean TFC and the number of affected coronary arteries are negatively correlated with left ventricular diastolic function.Left ventricular MSP and MDP are comprehensive parameters in evaluating systolic and diastolic functions.
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OBJECTIVE:To observe the therapeutic efficacy of active immunization combined with dydrogesterone in the treatment of recurrent abortion,and its effects on serum levels of leptin(LP)and adiponectin(ADPN). METHODS:Totally 103 patients with recurrent abortion from department of gyhecology,Jinan Third People's Hospital during Nov. 2015 to Nov. 2016 were selected as trial group,and then divided into trial group one(n＝51)and trial group two(n＝52)according to admission order. Other 100 normal pregnant women were taken as control group. Trial group one was given active immunization combined with dydrogesterone,including that lymphocytes from the patients'spouse were injected subcutaneously into the patient,every half a month,3 times of active immunization as a course of treatment,and was given Dydrogesterone tablet 10 mg after pregnancy,bid, until 3 months after the pregnancy. Trial group two was given Dydrogesterone tablet 10 mg,bid,until 3 months after the pregnancy. The serum levels of β-HCG,LP and ADPN were compared between trial group and control group at admission,the serum levels of β-HCG,LP,ADPN and pregnancy outcome(recurrent abortion,full-term pregnancy and successful delivery rate) was compared between 2 trial groups after treatment. RESULTS:At admission,the serum levels of β-HCG,LP and ADPN in trial group were significantly lower than control group. After treatment,the levels of β-HCG,LP and ADPN,successful delivery rate and full-term pregnancy rate in trial group one were significantly higher than trial group two, recurrent abortion rate was significantly lower than trial group two,with statistical significance(P＜0.05). No adverse reactions were observed in the study. CONCLUSIONS:The use of active immunization combined with dydrogesterone can significantly improve the serum levels of LP and ADPN as well as pregnancy outcome,with good safety.
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Pulmonary embolism is a clinical and pathophysiological syndrome caused by endogenous or exogenous emboli obstructing the pulmonary artery , and its branches causing acute pulmonary circulatory disturbances .Venous thromboembolism is a complex multifactorial disease that involves the interaction of secondary or hereditary thrombosis and various risk factors such as trauma and surgery .With the characteristics of high incidence , misdiagnosis and high mortality ,this study explored the risk factors for pulmonary thromboembolism .Finding its risk factors is the main method to reduce the incidence of pulmonary embolism and reduce the severity of pulmonary embolism.
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Objective To evaluate the value of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in assessing left ventricular systolic function,diastolic function and synchrony with different QRS complex duration in complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) patients with preserved left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF).Methods A total of 44 patients with CLBBB and LVEF≥50％ were included.All the patients were divided into two groups based on QRS duration,QRS＞150 ms as wide QRS group and 120 ms≤QRS≤150 ms as narrow QRS group.And 30 healthy people were included as control group.Two-dimensional echocardiography and 2D-STE were performed.Ieft ventricle longitudinal peak stain of global,septum and free wall (LS-G,LS-Sept,LS-Lat),standard deviation of time to peak systolic strain for the 18 left ventricular segments (SDt) and index of left yen tricular diastolic function (EDT,E/A and E/e') were measured.Results SDt values of wide QRS group and narrow QRS group were significantly higher than that of control group (both P＜0.01).And SDt of wide QRS group was significantly higher than that of narrow QRS group (P＜0.05).LVEF and LS-G in wide QRS group were significantly lower than those in both narrow QRS group and control group (all P＜ 0.05),while there was no significant difference between narrow QRS group and control group (all P＞0.05).The LS-Sept in wide QRS group and narrow QRS group were both lower than that of control group (both P ＜0.01).And LS-Sept in wide QRS group was lower than that of narrow QRS group (P＜0.01).LS-Lat in narrow QRS group was separately higher than those of both wide QRS group and control group (both P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference of LS-Lat between wide QRS group and control group (P＞0.05).Compared with control group,E/A and EDT decreased and of E/e' increased in both wide QRS group and narrow QRS group (all P＜0.05).While there was no significant difference between wide QRS group and narrow QRS group (all P＞0.05).Conclusion In patients of wide QRS CLBBB with preserved LVEF,left ventricular systolic,diastolic function and synchrony decrease,while left ventricular systolic function of patients with narrow QRS do not significantly decrease.
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Objective To discuss the application value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and lower extremity deep venous ultrasonography in patients of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) combined with coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods Nine hundred and seventy-four hospitalized patients of PTE in the first hospital of China medical university between December 2010 and March 2015 was enrolled,119 cases of these were combined with CHD (12.22％),including 94 cases of unstable angina and 25 cases of myocardial infarction.To review the general information,embolism area and ultrasonic report of the patients of PTE combined with CHD.The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they were combined with left ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction or valvular diseases.To compare TTE parameters between the two groups with two-sample t-test and calculate the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosing imaging massive pulmonary embolism (MPE) by TTE.Results (1) Seventeen cases thrombosis (3.43％) were observed in PTE patients who underwent TTE.The majority were pulmonary artery thrombosis (11 cases).Four cases of thrombosis (5.63％) were observed in PTE patients combined with CHD.The majority were right heart embolus (3 cases).(2) Lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT)was observed in 52.60％ of all the PTE patients and 34.62％ of PTE patients combined with CHD.The majority were on the left and the deep venous thrombosis of the calf.(3) Fouty-six cases (64.79％) were PTEindirect signs in TTE.The sensitivity of echocardiography diagnosis of MPE was 84.38％ and the specificity was 52.60％.(4) Pulmonary arterial systolic pressure [(47.90± 21.49) mmHg vs (31.18± 22.43) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),t=3.227,P ＜0.05] and inferior caval vein diameter [(19.66±4.41) mm vs (16.20± 3.46) mm,t=3.598,P ＜ 0.05] in CHD combined with left ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction or valvular heart disease were higher than the control group.The differences were statistically significant.Conclusions The proportion of CHD in hospitalized PTE patients was high.TTE could find PTE signs and had high sensitivity for diagnosis ofMPE.TTE could prompt the possibility of PTE combined with left heart disease.
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Objective To evaluate the platelet function in the patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) ,to explore the correlations between Hcy and folic acid(FA)with mean platelet volume(MPV) and platelet distribution width(PDW) ,and to evalu-ate the application value of above indicators in predicting RSA .Methods Twenty-eight cases of RSA ,40 cases of healthy pregnancy and 50 healthy child-bearing women(control group) in our hospital were selected .The detection indicators included peripheral blood Hcy ,FA ,PLT ,MPV and PDW .Results The PLT and FA levels in the patients group were significantly lower compared with the normal pregnancy group and control group(P0 .05) .Blood Hcy was negatively correlated with PLT and FA ;Hcy and FA were negatively correlated in the normal pregnancy group ,other indicators had no obvious correlation(P>0 .05) .Conclusion The Hcy metabolism abnormality ,platelet parameter changes and their interactions may be related to RSA .The combined detection of Hcy ,FA and platelet parameters has a certain clinical significance to early diag-nosis and treatment of RSA .
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Objective To analyze subclinical changes of left ventricular deformation by using two-dimensional (2-D) speckle tracking imaging (STI) in primary mitral regurgitation (MR) and to identify sensitive parameters of left ventricular deformation that reflect reduction of left ventricu-lar function after mitral valve repair.Methods We evaluated patients with primary MR who underwent mitral valve repair between May 2013 and June 2015.According to the reduction in ejection fraction (EF),the MR patients were divided into MR1 (EF reduction of ≤10％) and MR2 groups (EF reduction of ＞10％).The parameters of left ventricular deformation were measured by using 2-D STI.Results Compared with the MR1 group,the MR2 group had increased global longitudinal strain (GLS;P ＜ 0.05).A positive correlation was found between postoperative EF reduction and left ventricular intemal dimension at end-diastole,left ventricular internal dimension at end-systole,end-diastohc volume,left ventricular mass index,regurgitant volume,and GLS (P ＜ 0.05).GLS showed a diagnostic value in predicting EF reductions of ＞ 10％.Conclusion STI is useful for evaluating the postoperative reduction of left ventricular function in primary MR patients and thus is helpful for optimizing surgical timing.
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Objective To explore the ultrasonic characteristics of cystic adventitial disease (CAD) and to evaluate the value of color Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis of CAD. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the ultrasonograms and other imaging methods of eight patients with CAD conformed by surgery in The first Hospital of China Medical University. Results Five of the eight CAD cases were confirmed by color Doppler ultrasound before surgery, and three were misdiagnosed. All the cases were single, with five in popliteal artery, two in iliofemoral artery, and one in external iliac vein. We divided the cysts into concentric cysts and eccentric cysts according to the cystic shape and the lumen stenosis. Six cases were eccentric cysts, in which two had septations;two cases were concentric cysts, and both had septations. The affected vessel expanded, but its shape did not change and the lumen was compressed. There were three layers of wall between the cyst and the lumen. The peak systolic velocity of the affected lumen increased and the distal end systolic peak velocity decreased when lesion occurred in artery. Distal end lumen reflux were slow when lesion occurred in distal veins. Angiography showed the stenosis of the affected lumen, which was described asscimitar sign. CT showed uniorlocular or multilocular cyst, and the compressed lumen. All of the eight patients underwent the diseased adventitia resected along with excision of the cyst. Conclusions The color Doppler ultrasound can display the location, shape, and internal echo of CAD, and thus it can accurately evaluate luminal stenosis and flow pattern. This is of important clinical significance for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of CAD.
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Objective To investigate the echocardiographic features in patients with right atrial myxoma and thus evaluate the value of echocardiog?raphy in the diagnosis of right atrial myxoma. Methods The echocardiographic findings of 20 patients with right atrial myxomas were retrospectively analyzed,and the echocardiographic features of these patients were summarized. Results The main clinical symptoms of right atrial myxoma includ?ed chest tightness,shortness of breath,lower limb edema,and syncope. Of these 20 patients,the echocardiography showed that the average size of the right atrial myxomas was 3.11 cm × 2.90 cm to 7.44 cm × 4.52 cm. The myxomas were round or oval shape in 15 patients(75%)and lobulated shape in 5(25%). The myxomas were attached to the atrial septum in 15 patients(75%)and to right atrial free wall in 25%of the patients. The aver?age width of the basement was 1.62±0.30 cm,and the width was greater than 1 cm in 80%of the patients had the width over 1 cm. Some myxomas had internal areas of calcification and anechoic cystic areas. The percentages of patients with the blocking of right atrium,tricuspid and pulmonary hy?pertension were 70%,50%,and 10%,respectively. Conclusion The echocardiographic features of right atrial myxoma were specific. Echocardiog?raphy can accurately assess the tumor and identify the secondary changes in cardiac structure and hemodynamics and thus provide evidence for time?ly and accurate diagnosis of right atrial myxoma.
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Objective To study the clinical value of combined detection of tissue polypeptide antigen(TPA) and human epididymal secretory protein 4 (HE4) in the diagnosis and disease monitoring for ovarian epithelial cancer.Methods 82 cases with epithelial ovarian cancer were enrolled in ovarian cancer group,93 cases with benign ovarian lesions were selected as the benign ovarian lesions group,100 healthy people were selected as the control group.Serum TPA and HE4 were detected by ELISA.Results TPA-positive rates in the ovarian cancer group,benign ovarian lesions group and control group were 70.7％,8.6％ and 2.0％,respectively.The TPA-positive rate of ovarian cancer group was higher than benign ovarian lesions group and control group (x2 =33.69,82.95,all P ＜ 0.01).But the difference was not statistically significant between the benign ovarian lesions group and the control group(x2 =3.80,P ＞ 0.05).HE4 positive rates of the ovarian cancer group,benign ovarian lesions group and control group were 82.9％,11.8％,3.0％.The HE4 positive rate of ovarian cancer group was higher than benign ovarian lesions group and control group (x2 =36.72,78.33,all P ＜ 0.01).But the difference was not statistically significant between the benign ovarian lesions group and the control group(x2 =3.28,P ＞ 0.05).The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of TPA in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer were 70.7 ％,95.2％,88.7％.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of HE4 in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer were 82.9 ％,97.2％,92.8％.Conclusion TPA and HE4 can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
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To determine the serum levels of eotaxin, IL-13 and total IgE [TIgE] in asthmatic children during the acute and clinical remission periods, as well as the changes in pulmonary function to determine their roles, relationships and clinical significance during asthma exacerbation. A total of 30 asthmatic children and 22 healthy children were enrolled in the study. The serum eotaxin and IL-13 levels were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the TIgE level was detected using a fluorescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The asthmatic children were subjected to pulmonary function tests. The serum eotaxin, IL-13 and TIgE levels of the asthmatic children during the acute period significantly differed from those during clinical remission. The serum eotaxin, IL-13 and TIgE levels of the asthmatic children during both periods significantly differed from those of healthy children [P<0.001]. The serum eotaxin levels during the acute and clinical remission periods were positively correlated with serum IL-13 and with TIgE, and serum IL-13 was correlated with serum TIgE. The pulmonary function indices of asthmatic children during the acute period significantly differed from those during clinical remission [P<0.001]. The serum eotaxin and IL-13 levels in the asthmatic children were positively correlated with the forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] and the peak expiratory flow [PEF] during the acute and clinical remission periods [P<0.05]. However, the serum TIgE levels in asthmatic children were not significantly correlated with the FEV1 and PEF during both periods [P>0.05]. Serum TIgE, IL-13 and eotaxin influence each other during exacerbation of bronchial asthma and influence the corresponding pathophysiologic changes. Serum IL-13 and eotaxin could be used as markers for evaluating the severity of bronchial asthma
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PURPOSE: SNF2L belongs to Imitation Switch family and plays an essential role in neural tissues and gonads. In our previous studies, we have demonstrated that the basal transcription of human SNF2L gene is regulated by two cis-elements, cAMP response element (CRE)- and Sp1-binding sites. Recent studies suggested that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) stimulation significantly up-regulated SNF2L expression in ovarian granulose cells. These data suggested that protein kinase-mediated signal pathways might also regulate SNF2L expression in neural cells. We therefore investigated the effects of agents that activate protein kinases A on SNF2L gene expression in neural cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To increase intracellular cAMP levels, all neural cells were treated with forskolin and dbcAMP, two cAMP response activators. We exmined the effects of cAMP on the promoter activity of human SNF2L gene by luciferase reporter gene assays, and further examined the effects of cAMP on endogenous SNF2L mRNA levels by qPCR. RESULTS: Transient expression of a luciferase fusion gene under the control of the SNF2L promoter was significantly increased by treatment of rat primary neurons with forskolin or dbcAMP, but not PC12, C6 and SH-SY5Y cells. Consistently, treatment with forskolin or dbcAMP could enhance endogenous SNF2L mRNA levels also only in rat primary neurons. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the CRE consensus sequence in the SNF2L proximal promoter most likely confers constitutive activation and regulation by cAMP in neural cells.
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Animals , Humans , Rats , Bucladesine/pharmacology , Cell Line , Colforsin/pharmacology , Cyclic AMP/metabolism , DNA-Binding Proteins/chemistry , Gene Expression Regulation , Luciferases/analysis , Neurons/metabolism , PC12 Cells , Promoter Regions, Genetic , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Rats, Wistar , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/analysis , Response Elements , Transcription Factors/chemistryABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the regional cardiac function for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) with multiple tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters in rest state and to discuss the value of regional cardiac function in diagnosing CHD.Methods Forty-seven patients with chief complain of chest pain underwent TDI examination.Maximum systolic velocity (Sm),maximum early diastolic velocity (Em),maximum late diastolic velocity (Am),isovoluminal contraction time (IVCT) and isovoluminal relaxation time(IVRT) of 16 segments of left ventricle were measured.All the patients underwent coronary angiography (CAG) at the same time.CHD was diagnosed by at least one coronary artery with no less than fifty percent diametric stenosis.Segments dominated by coronary artery with fifty to ninety and more than ninety percent diametric stenosis were defined as moderate and severe lesion segments respectively.Others were non-lesion segments.Results There was no significant difference of sex,age,heart rate,CHD risk factors,left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and E/A among non-CHD (13 cases),one-lesion(11 cases),two-lesion (11 cases) and three-lesion (12 cases)(P ＞0.05).Compared with those in non-lesion segments (390sections),Sm,Em and Em/Am decreased and IVRT prolonged in both moderate lesion segments (162 sections) and severe lesion segments (144 sections) (P ＜ 0.01).IVCT prolonged only in severe lesion segments (P ＜0.05),but not in moderate lesion segments.If setting a criterion that no less than three segments with Sm ＜ 2.50 cm/s and IVRT ＞ 87 ms was for CHD diagnosis,the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and accuracy were 79.4％ (27/34),84.6％ (11/13),93.1％ (27/29),61.1％(11/18) and 80.9％(38/47).Conclusions In rest state,regional cardiac function of lesion segments in CHD patients shows changes of decreased systolic and diastolic velocity and prolonged isovoluminal time.Analyzing segmental cardiac velocity and time comprehensively may help to diagnose CHD.