Preliminary Research on Syndrome Types of Chinese Medicine in Children with Primary Nephrotic Syndrome / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To provide an objective reference for the syndrome types of Chinese medicine (CM) associated with pediatric primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study was performed. Data on clinical symptoms, CM syndrome types, biochemical indices, and medications used were collected from 98 children with PNS. Then, the correlation between CM syndromes and biochemical indices, as well as medications used, was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The four most common symptoms in children with PNS were brown urine, red tongue, excessive sweating, and swelling of the face and limbs. The syndromes of qi deficiency of Fei (Lung) and Shen (Kidney) (FSQD) and yin deficiency of Gan (Liver) and Shen (GSYD) were the most common main CM syndrome types. FSQD syndrome score correlated significantly with the total cholesterol level, urine protein/creatinine ratio, and urine IgG and albumin levels (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The use of maintenance glucocorticoids combined with immunosuppressive agents correlated with FSQD syndrome, and the use of maintenance glucocorticoids alone correlated with GSYD syndrome (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Two of the most common CM syndrome types were FSQD and GSYD syndromes. FSQD syndrome may be caused by some factors related to lipid levels, protein loss, and the use of immunosuppressive agents. The use of maintenance glucocorticoids may cause GSYD syndrome.</p>

cagA,vacA and iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori isolated from children in Shanghai / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate cagA, vacA and iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) isolated from children suffering from gastric and duodenal diseases in Shanghai and to explore a possible genotype-phenotype correlation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From May 2007 to January 2008, 59 children were confirmed with Hp infection by gastroscopy. Biopsied specimens were taken from the gastric antrum. cagA, vacA and iceA genes were determined by PCR. The histological changes in the gastric mucosa were evaluated. The levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the gastric mucosa were measured using ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>cagA, vacAs1/m1, vacAs1/m2, iceA1 and iceA2 were found in 65%, 19%, 40%, 63% and 19% of H. pylori strains, respectively. Both iceA1 and iceA2 were detected in 9% of strains. There were no statistical differences in the distribution of various genotypes between the children with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. No association was observed between the genotypes and the degree of inflammation of gastric mucosa. There were no significant differences in levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in the gastric mucosa infected by different genotypes of H. pylori strains.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>cagA/vacAs1/m2/iceA1 may be the commonest genotype combination of H.pylori in children from Shanghai. That there was no association between H.pylori genotypes and clinical variables suggests the potential role of host and environment factors in the development of clinical diseases at a later life.</p>

Application of Transnasal Gastroscope in Children With Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the property and diagnostic significancec of transnasal gastroscope(EG-470N5)in children with upper gastrointestinal tract disorders.Methods Sixty children with upper gastrointestinal tract disorders were examined by using EG-470N5.The scope was inserted either through nose(n=28)or via mouth(n=32).Beside the routine preparations,nasal spray of lidocaine or nasal drib of ephedrine was added to those who received nasal intubation.Results Examination of upper gastrointestinal tract subjects in all succed with no obvious side response in 28 cases(46.7%)who received the examination via nose,27 cases(45%)had mild nausea and 5 cases(8.3%)had serious nausea and dysphoria.Children with esophagostenosis and pyloristenosis and 2-day-old neonate were examined without adverse effect.Conclusions Transnasal gastroscope is preponderant to children due to its slim diameter and supple body,especially to those having swallow difficulty and confined tract.It is more favorable practical prospect than routine gastroscope.

Mitochondrial DNA mutation analysis in patients with mitochondrial myopathy / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine mitochondrial DNA mutations in mitochondrial myopathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three suspected cases of mitochondrial myopathy were examined by HE staining, histochemical staining methods and electron microscopy. The mutations in all 22 tRNA genes of mitochondrial genome were screened by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The three cases were diagnosed as mitochondrial myopathy. The examinations revealed that patient 1 had a homoplasmic A1627G mutation in tRNA-Val gene, and patient 2 had a heteroplasmic A1627G/A mutation in tRNA-Val gene, and patient 3 had two mutationsuone was homoplasmic T5554C mutation in tRNA-Trp gene, the other was heteroplasmic A10412C/A mutation in tRNA-Arg gene.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>tRNA genes mutations of mtDNA might be one of the etiologies of mitochondrial myopathy.</p>