A study of morbidity and mortality markers in children diagnosed with severe dengue illness at a quaternary paediatric intensive care unit

Background: To identify the biochemical, haematological, and serological laboratory parameters and establish associations between mortality risk and children with severe dengue fever (DF).Methods: This retro-prospective study included 251 children who were dengue serology positive, aged between 1 month and 18 years, hospitalized in paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with severe dengue illness from July 2019 to June 2021. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were extracted from hospital's electronic database and analyzed.Results: The majority had a mean age of 5.46 years with a significant female predominance (58.2%). Also, 80.1 per cent of children presented in the critical phase with an average PICU stay of 3.59 days. There was a significant mortality risk associated with presenting day of illness (risk 9.5%), ventilation requirements (risk 29.8%), and stay of more than a week in the PICU (risk 36%), with that of the severity of outcomes. The odds of increased mortality risk were associated with prolonged PICU stay exceeding a week and ventilation requirements by 10.03 and 20.19 times respectively. Investigation-wise, abnormal liver enzymes on admission such as SGOT (OR 5.39, p>0.0001); and serum SGPT (OR 5.54, p<0.001) were significantly associated with poorer outcomes. Interestingly, neither thrombocytopenia nor leucopenia was found to be a true marker of mortality and the overall mortality rate was found to be 8.4% (n=21).Conclusions: Any stay of more than a week, abnormal liver enzymes on admission, and ventilation requirements were all associated with higher mortality risk and potential predictors for poor clinical outcomes in the PICU.

Effect of previous episode of symptomatic dengue infection on recent dengue infection in children

Background: Approximately 390 million people worldwide are affected by dengue fever each year, >70% of them are from Asia. It is thought that antibody enhancement during the subsequent infections with dengue virus can cause more severe form of disease called dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). This study aims to observe the effect of prior dengue infection on recent infection.Methods: This retrospective record based descriptive-analytical study was conducted from July 2021 to December 2021 in paediatrics department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka. Medical records of all admitted confirmed cases of dengue fever during the study period were reviewed retrospectively to find out past symptomatic dengue infection ,which further verified by parents over phone. Finally 98 patients were analyzed after exclusion.Results: Among 98 studied patients, 45 (45%) experienced DHF and 15 (15.3%) diagnosed with DSS. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference of age and sex between patients of DF, DHF and DSS. Majority of the patients 79 (80.6%) did not have a past history of documented symptomatic dengue infection. Here, 9 (23.6%) out of 38 DF patient, 8 (17.7%) out of 45 DHF patient and only 2 (13.3%) out of 15 patient with DSS had past symptomatic dengue infection. Maximum patients (92, 93.8%) were treated with isotonic fluid, 39 patients got colloid (39, 36.79%). This study found no significant (p>0.05) difference between DF, DHF and DSS with or without past symptomatic dengue infection.Conclusions: In our study we noticed that there was no increase in dengue morbidity with documented previous symptomatic dengue infection.

Study of cardiac function in adults with dengue

Background: Medical literature has reports of isolated cases of atrioventricular conduction disorders, supraventricular arrhythmias, and myocarditis in dengue fever (DF).There is a paucity of data available in the published literature on the cardiac manifestations of DF from India. The aim of the present study was to assess the cardiac manifestations of DF. Methods: The140 patients aged ?18 years with DF confirmed with a serology-dengue non-structural protein 1 antigen-positivewere included for this prospective observational study. Three serial ECGs were taken on day one, day three and day seven or day of discharge. All the patients were evaluated using 2D echo on day one, day seven or day of discharge. The primary outcome measures were to find the incidence and type of echocardiographic abnormalities and electrocardiographic changes in dengue.Results: The incidence of cardiac abnormalities on ECG and 2D echo was 30 (21.4%), and 5 (7.0%) respectively. On ECG, 14 (10%) 9 (6.4%) 3 (2.1%) 3 (2.1%) and 1 (0.7%) patients had sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, non-specific ST-T changes, right bundle branch block and atrio-ventricular block respectively. On 2D echo, 7 (5.0%), 5 (3.6%) and 1 (0.7%) patient had systolic dysfunction, ejection fraction (<45.0%) and diastolic dysfunctionrespectively. Conclusions: The incidence of cardiac abnormalities on ECG and 2D ECHO in dengue patients was considerable. ECG and 2 D echo should be undertaken in patients with DF.

Effect of state anxiety on sleep-wake cycle in mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To observe the effect of state anxiety on the sleep-wake cycle of mice in the Triple test.Methods Eighteen male ICR mice were selected, and the electroencephalogram(EEG)and electromyogram(EMG)electrodes were embedded in the cortex and neck muscles of the mice under the conditions of anesthesia.There was a continuous 24 h tracing of mice under normal conditions after the recovery period.The model replication and behavioral evaluation of the state anxiety took place in the Triple test and the mouse sleep for 24 h was recorded for 7 consecutive days after the daily test.Results The behavioral evaluation showed that compared with 1st d, the time spent in central and% time in OF on 3 ?4 ?5 ?7 d of modeling was significantly reduced(P<0.05; P<0.01); the number of entries and% time of 4-7 d in EPM signifi-cantly increased(P<0.01); 2nd and 4th day of time spent in dark compartment of LDB increased significantly(P<0.05; P<0.01).The results of EEG analysis showed that compared with the sleep-wake cycle under normal conditions, the sleep and wake cycles had undergone significant changes, and the awakening time and its proportion were significantly prolonged(P<0.05; P<0.01), NREM sleep and its proportion markedly decreased on the 1-5 and 7 d(P<0.05; P<0.01), and a significant increase occurred in REM sleep and its proportion on 1st, 2nd, and 4th day(P<0.05).Conclusion The sleep-wake cycle of state anxiety mice replicated with the Triple test changes, and the impact on daytime sleep is more obvious.

Prevalence of Depression and its Associated Factors among Jordanian Diabetic Foot Patients

Background: Diabetes mellitus is widespread metabolic disorders with long-term complications, which include significant psychosocial dysfunctions such as depression and physiological dysfunctions such as diabetic foot (DF). Related to diabetic studies in general, the prevalence of depression is high and causes deterioration in health related outcomes and quality of life, whereas the studies about depression and diabetic foot in specific are meager and insufficient. Purposes: The purposes of this study were to assess the prevalence of depression, to identify factors associated with depression, and to identify the rate of unscreened depression among diabetic foot patients. Methods: The design of this study is cross-sectional. A convenience sampling of 216 diabetic foot patients was recruited from diabetic clinics of government hospitals in Jordan during the period from January 2016 to March 2016. Data was collected using a structured self-report questionnaire which consisted of 2 sections including socio-demographic questions with one self-reported question, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale to assess depression. Results: The current study showed that 179 diabetic foot patients (82.9%) had depression according to PHQ-9 scale with different levels of depression, namely, mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe that consist 25%, 25.5%, 18.5%, and 13.9% of the total sample respectively. Multiple linear regression showed that the availability of social support by the family and being a nurse as main healthcare provider were associated with low depression scores among DF patients, also high glycated hemoglobin was associated with high depression scores (F=8.923, p=0.001). Conclusion: Prevalence of depression among Jordanian diabetic foot patients and the rate of unscreened depression were high, which indicates an urgent need for thorough assessment of depression level that may help in early detection, treatment, and prevention of depression among diabetic foot patients. Several factors viewed to be associated with depression level that should take into consideration in the diabetic foot care plans.

Tomographic density imaging using modified DF–DBIM approach

Ultrasonic computed tomography based on back scattering theory is the most powerful and accurate tool in ultrasound based imaging approaches because it is capable of providing quantitative information about the imaged target and detects very small targets. The duple-frequency distorted Born iterative method (DF–DBIM), which uses density information along with sound contrast for imaging, is a promising approach for imaging targets at the level of biological tissues. With two frequencies f₁ (low) and f₂ (high) through Nf₁ and Nf₂ iterations respectively, this method is used to estimate target density along with sound contrast. The implications of duple-frequency fusion for the image reconstruction quality of density information along with sound contrast based ultrasound tomography have been analyzed in this paper. In this paper, we concentrate on the selection of parameters that is supposed to be the best to improve the reconstruction quality of ultrasound tomography. When there are restraints imposed on simulated scenarios to have control of the computational cost, the iteration number Nf₁ is determined resulting in giving the best performance. The DF–DBIM is only effective if there are a moderate number of iterations, transmitters and receivers. In case that the number of transducers is either too large or too small, a result of reconstruction which is better than that of the single frequency approach is not produced by the implementation of DF–DBIM. A fixed sum N(iter) of Nf₁ and Nf₂ was given, the investigation of simulation results shows that the best value of Nf₁ is [N(iter)/2 − 1]. The error, when applying this way of choosing the parameters, will be normalized with the reduction of 56.11%, compared to use single frequency as used in the conventional DBIM method. The target density along with sound contrast is used to image targets in this paper. It is a fact that low-frequency offers fine convergence, and high-frequency offers fine spatial resolution. Wherefore, this technique can effectively expand DBIM's applicability to the problem of biological tissue reconstruction. Thanks to the usage of empirical data, this work will be further developed prior to its application in reality.

Situação epidemiológica da anemia infecciosa equina em equídeos de tração do Distrito Federal / Epidemiological status of equine infeccious anemia in working equidae from the Federal District, Brazil

A anemia infecciosa equina (AIE) é uma doença causada por um lentivirus que possui distribuição mundial. Essa enfermidade é um entrave ao desenvolvimento da equinocultura no Brasil devido à obrigatoriedade de eutanásia dos animais positivos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estimar a prevalência de AIE em equídeos de tração no Distrito Federal, assim como identificar fatores de risco associados à doença. Foram sorteados aleatoriamente 350 proprietários (Unidades Primárias de Amostragem- UPA) e foram amostrados todos os equídeos (Unidades secundárias de Amostragem) de cada proprietário sorteado, totalizando 496 animais. As amostras sanguíneas foram analisadas no Lanagro/MG por meio da técnica de imunodifusão em ágar gel (IDGA). No momento da coleta de sangue, também foi aplicado um questionário epidemiológico para a análise de possíveis fatores de risco. A prevalência de AIE nas UPA foi estimada em 2,29%, (IC 95%: 1,01-4,2%) e nos animais foi de 1,81% (IC 95%: 0,55-3,07%). A prevalência foi significativamente maior em muares do que em equinos. Não foi possível comprovar a presença de nenhum outro fator de risco associado à doença. Este estudo demonstra que a prevalência da AIE em equídeos de tração é baixa no Distrito Federal, porém mais alta do que os dados de vigilância de rotina sugerem, o que justifica a eutanásia dos equídeos reagentes, com a finalidade de promover a erradicação da enfermidade. Ratifica-se a importância da realização de exames periódicos nesses animais e a manutenção das atividades de vigilância.(AU)

Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) is a disease that has worldwide distribution and it is caused by a lentivirus. The disease constrains the development of horse breeding in Brazil, leading to compulsory slaughter of test positive animals. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of EIA in traction equids and identify potential risk factors in the Federal District. Three hundred and fifty (350) owners were randomly selected (Primary Sampling Units-PSU) and all equids (Secondary Sampling Units - SSU) from each owner were sampled, in a total of 496 animals. Blood samples were tested in LANAGRO/MG using the agar-gel immunodiffusion test (AGID). An epidemiological questionnaire was used to collect data on potential risk factors associated with the disease. The prevalence of PSU (owners) was estimated at 2.29% (95% CI: 1.01-4.2%) and the prevalence in animals was 1.81% (95% CI: 0.55-3.07%). Prevalence was higher in mules than in horses. None of the other variables analyzed as potential risk factors was associated to the presence of the disease. The present study demonstrated that the prevalence of EIA in traction equids is low in the Federal District, which strengthens the case for the maintaining the test-and-cull policy and the need for disease surveillance measures aimed at eradicating the disease.(AU)

Síndrome de pseudo-Bartter como presentación de fibrosis quística con mutación DF508 / Pseudo-Bartter syndrome as manifestation of cystic fibrosis with DF508 mutation

Resumen: Introducción: El síndrome de pseudo-Bartter (SPB) se define como una alcalosis metabólica hipoclorémica con hipocaliemia en ausencia de tubulopatía. Los pacientes con fibrosis quística (FQ), al presentar alteraciones hidrolectrolíticas, pueden llegar a presentarlo. Caso clínico: Lactante femenino con antecedente de 2 eventos de deshidratación. Se presenta a los 5 meses de vida con vómito, rechazo al alimento, tos crónica, poliuria, desnutrición, alcalosis metabólica, hipocaliemia, hiponatremia, hipocloremia y falla renal aguda. Se realizó estudio de tos crónica, con lo que se descartó tuberculosis pulmonar, enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico y alteración en la mecánica de la deglución. Ante la alcalosis metabólica sin tubulopatía se diagnosticó SPB; por la historia de desnutrición y tos crónica se sospechó de FQ, la cual se corroboró con medición de electrolitos en sudor y mediante análisis molecular de la mutación delta F508. Este es uno de los pocos casos reportados con SPB y esta mutación. Conclusiones: En pacientes con cuadros repetitivos de deshidratación hiponatrémica con alcalosis metabólica hipoclorémica o SPB debe considerarse como diagnóstico diferencial FQ. La FQ pude presentarse como SPB, principalmente en pacientes menores de 2 años.

Abstract: Background: Pseudo Bartter syndrome (PBS) is defined as hypokalaemic hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis in the absence of renal tubular pathology. Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at risk of developing electrolyte abnormalities and even PBS may occur. Case report: 5 months old female infant with a history of two events of dehydration with vomit, refusal to eat, chronic cough, polyuria, malnutrition, metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia and acute renal failure. Chronic cough study was performed, discarding pulmonary tuberculosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease and impaired swallowing. PBS was diagnosed due to hypokalaemic hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis in the absence of renal tubular pathology. CF was corroborated by electrolytes in sweat and through molecular analysis of the delta F508 mutation. This is one of the few reported cases linking PBS and this mutation. Conclusions: In patients with hyponatremic dehydration episodes with hypokalaemic hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis, PBS should be considered as differential diagnosis. CF could be presented as PBS, mainly in patients younger than 2 years.

Desenvolvimento e validação de método para quantificação simultânea de ofloxacina, norfloxacina e ciprofloxacina em urina humana / Development and validation of an analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of ofloxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin in human urine

Processos de tratamentos têm sido alvo de estudos com a finalidade de promover a remoção dos fármacos na urina humana de forma a garantir a segurança ambiental da utilização dessa como fertilizante na agricultura. Neste artigo foi desenvolvido e validado um método de CLAE-DF para a determinação simultânea de ofloxacina, norfloxacina e ciprofloxacina na urina humana. O método proposto descreve uma alternativa eficaz para a determinação de resíduos de fluoroquinolonas, eliminando o passo de limpeza. Além disso, o método proposto demonstrou ser seletivo, com boa linearidade (r>0,99), sensibilidade, precisão (80% a 107%) e repetitividade. Este método mostra ser adequado para análises de rotina (de baixo custo, simples, e utilizando pequeno volume de solventes) para abordagens ecológicas.

Treatment processes have been the focus of studies aiming at promoting the removal of drugs in human urine in order to ensure environmental safety using it as a fertilizer in agriculture. So, an HPLC-FD method for the simultaneous determination of ofloxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin in human urine was developed and validated. The proposed method describes an efficient alternative for the determination of fluoroquinolone residues by eliminating the clean-up step. Moreover, the proposed method proved to be selective, with good linearity (r>0.99), sensitivity, accuracy (80% to 107%) and repeatability. This method shows to be suitable for routine analyses (simple, low price and using a small volume of solvents) for ecological approaches.

#Ladies y #gentlemen del DF: Dominancia social y actitudes hacia la discriminación / #Ladies & #Gentlemen of Mexico City: Social Dominance and Discriminatory Attitudes

La teoría de la dominancia social (SDO) explica el nivel en que las personas aceptan o rechazan las ideologías que le imprimen legitimidad a las jerarquías y la discriminación o a la igualdad y justicia. Este estudio aplica SDO en México y investiga si la dominancia social en abstracto tiene conexión con la aprobación de la discriminación en concreto (usando los casos de Lady de Profeco, Ladies de Polanco y Gentleman de las Lomas). Predecimos (1) que los hombres, los participantes de mayor edad y los que provienen de clases sociales más altas mostrarían niveles más altos de SDO; y (2) que la aprobación de discriminación será determinada por el nivel de SDO (alto > bajo) y por clase social (alta > media > baja). Participantes fueron N=150 miembros del publico en el DF. Llenaron cuestionarios en la calle, midiendo sexo, edad, lugar de residencia, SDO y aprobación de discriminación. Los resultados generalmente aportaron las hipótesis. Hombres tenían puntajes mas altos de SDO que mujeres, pero las clases sociales mas bajas que altas tenían niveles mas altos de SDO. Hubo una correlación positiva entre SDO y aprobación de discriminación. Los resultados se discutieron en términos de diferencias en educación y movilidad social.

Social dominance orientation/theory (SDO) explains the extent to which individuals accept or reject ideologies that legitimize hierarchies and discrimination or equality and social justice. Numerous studies have shown that SDO predicts a wide range of political, ideological, and intergroup phenomena, particularly in relation to negativity towards minorities and outgroups. The aims of the present study were to apply the SDO scale in a Mexican context; examine differences in SDO according to sex, age group, and social class; and investigate whether an orientation towards social dominance would be detectable not only on an abstract level but a concrete level, that of approving inter-class discrimination. We predicted that (1) SDO would be higher in men than women, older than younger participants, and upper rather than lower social classes, (2) that approval of discrimination would be determined by SDO and social class, and (3) that SDO would correlate with approval of discrimination. Participants were N=150 members of the public in Mexico City, with a mean age of 35.3 years (range: 18-74) and from areas of different social classes. Participants completed paper-and-pencil questionnaires on the street. We measured demographics (sex, age, place of residence), a 16-item SDO scale (e.g., "Some people are just more deserving than others") with a Cronbach's alpha of .83, and three instances of discriminatory behavior on the part of upper-class members towards lower-class members, alpha=.90, e.g.: "The behavior of the 'Ladies of Polanco' insulting a police officer is justified". All items were measured on 5-point Likert-type scales, from 1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree. Results were generally in line with the hypotheses. A three-way ANOVA on social dominance showed significant effects of sex and place of residence, but not age group nor significant interactions. Men scored significantly higher than women on social dominance, providing evidence for the "invariance hypothesis". Unexpectedly, lower-class participants showed highest levels of SDO, followed by middle-class and upper-class participants. A two-way ANOVA on approval of discrimination showed significant effects of place of residence and SDO and a significant interaction. Middle-class participants showed significantly higher levels of approval of discrimination than the other two classes. SDO correlated with approval of discrimination. Unexpected effects might be due to differential levels of education among social classes and/or to social mobility. The present study is the first investigation of SDO in Mexico and shows the link between an abstract orientation towards social hierarchies and approval of class-based discrimination in everyday life.

Seroprevalence of dengue virus in a tertiary care hospital, Andhra Pradesh, South India.

Background: Dengue fever and Dengue Haemorrhagic fever (DF/DHF) is an acute viral disease caused by Dengue virus. The infection is transmitted by the bite of an infected female mosquito- Aedes aegypti. The Dengue virus causes significant morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world, including India, where it was first isolated in Calcutta, West Bengal during 1945. This study was conducted to know the seroprevalence of Dengue virus in a tertiary care hospital, Hyderabad Methods: Blood for serological studies are carefully collected taking due universal precautions from suspected DF/DHF cases (a) as soon as possible after hospital admission or attendance. All the patients were screened for anti-Dengue IgG and IgM antibodies By Enzyme Immunoassay. The study period was 18 months from 2012. Results: From a total of 1327serum samples tested were screened for Dengue IgM and IgG among which 706(53.2%) were positive. 125(17.7%) were only IgM positive and 198(28.05%) of the tested samples showed only IgG positive. 383(54.25%) of the tested samples revealed positive for both IgM and IgG antibodies. Conclusion: Surveillance is prerequisite for monitoring the dengue situation in the area and should be carried out regularly for early detection of an impending outbreak and to initiate timely preventive and control measures.

Dengue in India.

Dengue virus belongs to family Flaviviridae, having four serotypes that spread by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It causes a wide spectrum of illness from mild asymptomatic illness to severe fatal dengue haemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS). Approximately 2.5 billion people live in dengue-risk regions with about 100 million new cases each year worldwide. The cumulative dengue diseases burden has attained an unprecedented proportion in recent times with sharp increase in the size of human population at risk. Dengue disease presents highly complex pathophysiological, economic and ecologic problems. In India, the first epidemic of clinical dengue-like illness was recorded in Madras (now Chennai) in 1780 and the first virologically proved epidemic of dengue fever (DF) occurred in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Eastern Coast of India in 1963-1964. During the last 50 years a large number of physicians have treated and described dengue disease in India, but the scientific studies addressing various problems of dengue disease have been carried out at limited number of centres. Achievements of Indian scientists are considerable; however, a lot remain to be achieved for creating an impact. This paper briefly reviews the extent of work done by various groups of scientists in this country.

Dengue Infections And Circulating Serotypes In Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

This study observed the pattern of reported dengue infections, clinical manifestations, and circulating dengue serotypes in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The aim of this study was to determine the co-circulation of the four different dengue virus serotypes in Negeri Sembilan. We analyzed the surveillance data (VEKPRO) from Negeri Sembilan State Health Department and National Public Health Laboratory, Malaysia on reported dengue infections from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2010. There were 1466 reported dengue infections, 1342 (91.5%) cases were dengue fever (DF) and 124 (8.5%) were dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). The mean age was 32.2± 15.8 years old and most were young adults, aged 15 years old and older. Males (p < 0.05), and those residing in Seremban district (p < 0.05) were more likely to get dengue infections. Symptoms presented upon admission were fever (100%), headache (99.9%), myalgia and arthralgia (98.8%), rash(24.2%), petechiae (16.0%),bleeding tendencies (7.0%) and neurological deficits(1.2%). All four dengue serotypes (DEN 1 – 4) were present, the pre-dominant serotype was DEN-3, noted in January, then existed together with DEN-2 until around May. DEN-1 was the most pre-dominant circulating dengue serotype afterwards, reaching a peak in December 2010. Dengue affected all age groups particularly young adults and males. Most cases reported were in urban areas and Seremban district. Most of the dengue infections occurred in the first half of the year, with the DEN-2 and DEN-3 serotypes being the most predominant.

The effect of N-acetylcysteine on the airway inflammation and remodeling of obese asthma mice / 中国医师杂志

Objectives To evaluate the effect of N-Acetylcysteine on the airway inflammation and remodeling of obese asthma mice with high-fat diets. Methods Forty female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, asthma group (A), obese asthma group (B), treatment group (C) and normal control group (D). Group A were sensitized and challenged by ovalbum (OVA) and normal diets. Group B were sensitized and challenged as group A but fed with high-fat diets, while group C were sensitized, challenged and fed as group B, but administrated N-Acetylcysteine 200 mg/kg. d from the third week after challenge. The cells in BALF were counted and classified after staining, IL-6 and 8-iso-PGF2α(8-iso-PGF2α) in lung tissues were detected by ELISA. WAt, WAm, Pbm, as the remodeling indices, measured in lung pathological section. All parameters were compared among 4 groups. Results In comparison with group D, the leukocytes and EOS in BALF, WAt/Pbm, WAm/Pbm in lung section were increased as well as IL-6 and 8-iso-PGF2α in lung tissue elevated in group A and group B, while the maximum changes were observed in group B (P ＜0. 05). After NAC treatment, the IL-6, 8-iso-PGF2α and WAt/ Pbm were decreased significantly (P ＜0. 05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that WAt/Pbm and IL-6 were in positive correlation with 8-iso-PGF2α (r =0. 817, 0. 737, P ＜0. 01). Conclusions N-Acetylcysteine can alleviate the airway inflammation and remodel reaction of asthma by a substantial inhibition of the oxidative stress reaction in lung.

The effects of pravastatin on serum adipocytokines in patients with IGT and metabolic syndrome / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of pravastatin on the blood biochemical index,the levels of serum resistin,tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and metabolic syndrome (MS).Methods 60 patients with IGT and MS were random treated with pravastatin or remedial life-style intervention,and the levels of lipids profiles,insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR),serum resistin,TNF-α and IL-6 were measured before and after treatment.Results The levels of total cholesterol [ (4.45 ±0.60)mmol/L vs (5.58 ±0.96) mmol/L,t =-5.42,P ＜0.01],HOMA-IR [3.22 ±0.64 vs 3.58 ±0.71,t =-2.05,P ＜0.05) ],resistin[ (1.97 ±0.72) μg/L vs (2.76 ±0.73) μg/L,t=-4.26,P ＜0.01 ],TNF-α[ (9.36 ±2.03) μg/L vs (13.87 ±2.30)μg/L,t =-8.06,P ＜0.01] and IL-6[ (3.50 ±0.99) μg/L vs (6.32 ±1.17) μg/L,t =-10.06,P ＜0.01 ] in pravastatin group were significantly lower than those in life-style intervention group.Conclusion Pravastatin could improve insulin sensitivity of the patients with IGT and MS,significantly decreased the serum levels of resistin,TNF-α,IL-6,and it had anti-inflammatory effect.

Study of bone mineral density and its influential factors in partial androgen deficiency in aging male patients / 中国医师杂志

Objective To explore the characteristics and its influential factors of bone mineral density (BMD) changes in partial androgen deficiency in aging male patients.Methods 186 aging male patients with partial androgen deficiency and 125 healthy persons were selected, and their BMD in the first to fourth lumber spine and the proximal left femur was measured with the dual-energy X BMD measuring instrument.The biochemical and bone metabolic markers and sexual hormones were collected, and the relationship between changes of BMD in the patients with partial androgen deficiency, age, BMI, sexual hormones and bone metabolic markers were observed by multivariate stepwise regression analysis.Results There was no significant difference in BMD at the lumbar spine between two groups( P ＞ 0.05 ), but BMD in PADAM group was lower than control groups at the hip[Neck: (0.831 ±0.136) g/cm2 vs (0.954 ±0.143) g/cm2,War's: (0.712 ± 0.127 ) g/cm2 vs ( 0.811 ± 0.149 ) g/cm2,Troch: ( 0.697 ± 0.124 ) g/cm2 vs ( 0.764 ±0.131 )g/cm2, P ＜ 0.05 )].The incidence of PADAM and control group with osteopenia were 48.9% and 36%, and the osteoporosis was 33.3% and 20.8%, respectively.The bone mineral density was positively correlated to BMI at the first to fourth lumber spine and the proximal left femur in the patients with PADAM and negatively correlated to age and serum level of androgen.Conclusion BMD in PADAM group was significantly decreased, and age and low BMI and androgen deficiency wwere the risk factors of low BMD in PADAM patients.

Fibrosis quística: aspectos diagnósticos / Cystic fibrosis: diagnosis

La fibrosis quística (FQ) es una de las enfermedades genéticas mortales más frecuentes en la raza caucásica. Se caracteriza por una disfunción de las glándulas exocrinas, con insuficiencia pancreática y bronconeumopatía crónica. Es una enfermedad de transmisión autonómica recesiva, se sabe que el gen defectuoso está localizado en el cromosoma 7 humano, conocido como gen regulador de la conductancia transmembrana de la fibrosis quística (CFTR),y que de las más de mil mutaciones de este gen, la mutación DF508 es la más común, pues se halla en aproximadamente 70% de los alelos CFTR defectuosos. El diagnóstico de la FQ se ha basado clásicamente en la determinación de por lo menos 2-3 determinaciones positivas de electrólitos en sudor, junto con uno de los siguientes criterios clínicos: íleo meconial, historia familiar de FQ, insuficiencia pancreática exocrina, enfermedad pulmonar crónica, azoospermia obstructiva y síndrome de pérdida de sal. Los criterios diagnósticos actuales incluyen, junto a la presencia de las características clínicas, dos determinaciones de concentraciones de cloro en sudor superior a 60 mmol/l, o demostración de alteraciones en el transporte iónico a través del epitelio nasal (diferencia de potencial nasal) o la detección de dos mutaciones reconocidas de FQ.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most frequent inherited mortal diseases in Caucasian population. Dysfunction in exocrine glands is described in CF patients, with severe pancreatic insufficiency and chronic lung disease. CF is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder. More than 1000 disease-associated mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene have been described. DF508 mutation is the most common mutation in the CF gen. Diagnosis in CF is based on clinical and laboratory tests findings. Meconial ileus, CF in other relatives, chronic lung disease, congenital absence of the vas deferens with azoospermia are among other clinical findings, main criteria in CF patients. Two positive results in sweat chloride test , or demonstration in nasal epithelial ionic transport alteration (nasal potential difference) and identification of two CF mutations in the patient are laboratory findings in CF.

Conformity of the LCP-DF (Locking Compression Plate-Distal Femur) in Korean Adult Femur: A Cadaver Study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the conformity of the anatomically pre-shaped LCP-DF to the femurs of the Korean adult. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 67 adult femur obtained from the Korean adult cadaver were used. An eleven-hole LCP-DF was applied to the lateral surface of the distal femur according to the contour. Then the distance from the inner surface of the plate to the cortex was measured at the sites of mismatch. The angle between the distal most screw and the articular surface was measured. RESULTS: Mismatch was found at the level of proximal 4~5 holes of the plate with an average distance of 9.58 mm (0~18) at the tip of the plate. Otherwise, the overall conformity of the LCP-DF was excellent. The distal most screws are positioned such that the joint line is 3 degrees of valgus to this screw in average (range 0~18). CONCLUSION: It may be necessary to consider to bend the plate in case of mismatch at the tip especially for the plate longer than 9-hole plate. The angular relation between the distal most screw and the joint line can assist the judgement for the coronal plane alignment.

Cloning and regulatory expression of the transcriptional regulatory sequences in human breast cancer related DF3 antigen / 中国普通外科杂志

Objective To clone the transcriptional regulatory sequences (TRS) in human breast cancer related DF3 antigen, and to test the relationship between the activity of the TRS and the cell surface DF3 antigen. Methods Authors designed a pair of primers according to the registered 5′-flanking region of DF3 antigen. The 771 base pairs of DNA fragment were amplified from the genomic DNA of human MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells by PCR, and cloned to the pMD18-T vector. The results were tested by restrictive enzyme analysis and DNA sequencing. The DF3 TRS was cut by double enzyme: Mlu I、Hind III,and cloned to the pGL3 vector . The activity of the DF3 TRS was expressed by analyzing the relative luciferase activities. Results Restrictive endonuclease identification and DNA sequencing proved that the sequence authors got, was correct. The luciferase activity in MDA-MB-231 was hardly detected, whereas in MCF-7 the luciferase activity was about 200 times than in MDA-MB-231. Conclusions The DF3 TRS was cloned successfully. The DF3 activity has a distinct relationship with DF3 antigen. The study shows that DF3 TRS can be used in the gene therapy of breast carcinoma.

Study of Serum IgE Level and RAST (D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Egg White and Cow Milk) at Preschool Children / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: The tests of Serum IgE and allergen specific antibodies are important for screening and diagnosis of allergic disease. This study was conducted find out the distributions of allergic diseases, level of IgE, and usual allergen specific antibodies in healthy well-being preschool childrenin Inchon city. METHODS: We gained the level of serum IgE and RAST (radioallergosorbent test : D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Egg white and Cow milk) for 274 (Male 130, Female 144) preschool children in Inchon city during January through June in 1997. The history of allergic diseases (allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy and urticaria) was taken by each children's parent over telephone interviews. The personal computer SAS program was used for data analysis. RESULTS: 1) The 274 preschoolers (female 144, male 130 F:M=1:0.9) were composed of 74 (female 44, male 30) 3 year-old, 99 (female 52, male 47) 4 year-old, and 101 (female 48, male 53) 5 year-old children. 2) 30.1% of the children were with history of allergic diseases. 3) The mean and standard deviation of serum IgE levels were 215.8+/-171.0 IU/mL with a history of allergic diseases and 60.4+/-73.2 IU/mL without a history of allergic diseases for 3 year-old; 237.0+/-233.5 IU/mL and 48.5+/-74.4 IU/mL for 4 year-old; and 223.6+/-247.5 IU/ml and 45.2+/-41.9 IU/mL for 5 year-old children (P<0.001), respectively. 4) The rate of positive RAST (D. pteronyssinus, Dp) was 66.7% with a history of allergic diseases and 2.6% without a history of allergic diseases for 3 year-old girls, and 41.7% and 5.6% for 3 year-old boys; 58.3% and 2.5% for 4 year-old girls, and 53.8% and 2.9% for 4 year-old boys; and 61.1% and 3.3% for 5 year-old girls, and 54.5% and 0.0% for 5 year-old boys (P<0.001), respectively. 5) The rate of positive RAST (D. farinae, Df) was 66.7% with a history of allergic diseases and 0.0% without a history of allergic diseases for 3 year-old girls, and 16.7% and 0.0% for 3 year-old boys; 50.0% and 0.0% for 4 year-old girls, and 46.2% and 5.9%, for 4 year-old boys; and 55.6% and 3.3% for 5 year-old girls, and 54.5% and 0.0% for 5 year-old boys (P<0.001), respectively. 6) The rate of positive RAST (Egg white, F1) was 66.7% with a history of allergic diseases and 21.1% without a history of allergic diseases for 3 year-old girls, and 66.7% and 38.9% for 3 year-old boys; 75.0% and 15.0% for 4 year-old girls, and 46.2% and 5.9% for 4 year-old boys; and 38.9% and 13.3% for 5 year-old girls, and 50.0% and 19.4% for 5 year-old boys (P<0.001), respectovely. 7) The rate of positive RAST (Cow milk F2) was 0.0% for 3, 4 and 5 year-old and boys both with and without a history of allergic diseases. CONCLUSION: We conclude that serum IgE level and RAST (Dp, Df, F1) are important screening methods for allergic disease of preschool children, and milk allergy is little over 3 year-old children in Inchon. Further studies will be needed.