Inactive Research Articles

Relationship between limitation of daily life and prognosis in patients with sequelae of tuberculosis treated with long-term oxygen therapy

The sequelae of tuberculosis (TBC) sometimes causes severe restrictive lung disorders. In Japan, lung tuberculosis was pandemic up to the 1950s, with TBC being a major underlying disease of chronic respiratory failure and cor pulmonale. Until the end of 1991, we encountered 95 cases of Home Oxygen Therapy (HOT) in Ogaki area, 30 of which were patients with TBC. To clarify factors affecting the prognosis of these patients, we examined background factors, directing special attention to daily activities. In this study, 10 inactive patients (Group A) whose daily activity was limited to indoors and 10 control patients (Group B) whose age, vital capacity and arterial PO2 were equal to inactive patients, from the 30 TBC cases were used. A comparison was made of the prognoses. Among the patients, activity was closely related to dyspnea grade and arterial PCO2. Group A patients showed more marked dyspnea and lower arterial PCO2 than those of group B patients. Percentage home stay and cumulative survival rates of Group A patients (percentage home stay, 59.2 +/- 38.7% and 3 year survival, 26.3%) were significantly less than those of Group B patients (91.0 +/- 16.4% and 87.5%, p < 0.05, respectively). Among chronic pulmonary emphysema patients treated with HOT, no significant relation between activity and prognosis could be found, when factors of age, arterial PO2 and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec were excluded. There would thus appear to be a close relation between activity and prognosis in TBC patients specific for underlying disease.

The long-term effect of embolization of bronchial artery in patients with massive hemoptysis

Objective To explore the long-term effect of bronchial artery, embolization (BAE) in patients with massive hemoptysis and the factors associated with prognosis. Methods Ninety six patients underwent BAE from 2002 to 2008 for the management of mass hemoptysis were retrospectively analyzed. Of them, BAE was successfully performed in 94 patients (mean age 43 years, age range 21 to 80 years), including active or inactive tuberculosis (89 cases), bronchiectasis (2 cases) and pulmonary carcinoma (5 cases). Results BAE resulted in an immediate cessation of hemoptysis in 94 of the initial 96 patients (97.9%). The rate of hemoptysis controlling at 30 d, 90 d, 1 year and 2 year after the BAE was 93.6% (88/94), 86. 2% (81/94), 81.9% (77/94) and 78.7% (74/94) respectively. Haemoptysis recurred in 9 patients in 30 days after the BAE due to missing of target vessel or recanalization. Five patients had recurrence of haemoptysis after 30 days and 2 patients recurrent after 90 days due to development of systemic collateral, progress in primary lesions and secondary infection. Conclusion BAE is an effective technique in the emergency treatment of massive hemoptysis. Avoiding missing target vessel, selecting the appropriate embolic material, paying attention to treatment of the primary disease after BAE, and preventing infection would improve the effects of BAE for massive hemoptysis. Key words: Hemoptysis; Bronchial arteries; Embolization, therapeutic

16 PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTOR OF HBV INFECTION AMONG 4959 IMMIGRANTS FROM NON EU COUNTRIES IN ITALY

16 PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTOR OF HBV INFECTION AMONG 4959 IMMIGRANTS FROM NON EU COUNTRIES IN ITALY

X-RAY RADIATION MECHANISMS AND BEAMING EFFECT OF HOT SPOTS AND KNOTS IN ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEAR JETS

The observed radio-optical-X-ray spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of 22 hot spots and 45 knots in the jets of 35 active galactic nuclei are complied from literature and modeled with single-zone lepton models. It is found that the observed luminosities at 5 GHz (L_5GHz) and at 1 keV (L_1keV) are tightly correlated, and the two kinds of sources can be roughly separated with a division of L_1keV=L_5GHz. Our SED fits show that the mechanisms of the X-rays are diverse. Considering the sources at rest, the synchrotron-self-Compton (SSC) scattering would dominate the IC process. This model can interpret the X-rays of some hot spots with a magnetic field strength (B_ssc^delta=1) being consistent with the equipartition magnetic field (B_eq^delta=1) in one order of magnitude, but an unreasonably low B_ssc^delta=1 is required to model the X-rays for all knots. The ratio R_B=B_eq^delta=1/B_ssc^delta=1 is greater than 1 and it is tightly anti-correlated with ratio R_L= L_1keV/L_5GHz for both the knots and the hot spots. We propose that the deviation may be due to the neglect of the relativistic bulk motion for these sources. Considering this effect, we show that the IC/CMB model well explains the X-ray emission for most sources. Both B_eq' and delta are tentatively correlated with R_L. Corrected by the beaming effect, the L'_5GHz-L'_1keV relations for the two kinds of sources are even tighter than the observed ones. These facts suggest that, under the equipartition condition, the observational differences of the X-rays from the knots and hot spots may be mainly due the differences on the Doppler boosting effect and the co-moving magnetic field of the two kinds of sources. Our IC scattering models predict a prominent GeV-TeV component in the SEDs for some sources, which are detectable with H.E.S.S. and Fermi/LAT.

Preliminary study on differential expression of plasma proteins of patients with Takayasu's arteritis in different stage

To investigate differential expression of plasma proteins of patients with Takayasu's arteritis to screen disease-related or phase-related proteins or biomarkers. From March, 2005 to January, 2006, Plasma of 20 patients with acute Takayasu's arteritis, 20 patients with chronic Takayasu's arteritis, and 20 healthy people as control were collected. Plasma proteins were profiled by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Spots of differential expression were screened by computerized map analysis and identified by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight-mass spectrometry. Circulation levels of parts of differential expression proteins were investigated by Elisa in each subject. Fourteen differential expression proteins were identified, including serum amyloid A, serum amyloid P, fibrinogen, complement C3c, C7, C4 binding protein, factor H related protein-1, immunoglobin, alpha-acid glycoprotein, RAG1 protein, alpha1-microglobin, apolipoprotein A-I, A-IV, transthyretin, haptoglobin. Proteins related to acute and chronic phase were serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, transthyretin, haptoglobin; Circulation levels of Serum amyloid A (SAA) and Complement C4 binding protein (C4BP) were significantly increased in active TA patients comparing to that in inactive TA patients and in controls (SAA: 95.9 vs 49.2, P = 0.009 and 23.9 mg/L, P = 0.001, respectively; C4BP: 88.5 vs 61.7, P = 0.023 and 32.6 mg/L, P < 0.001, respectively). Acute phase proteins and immune proteins may possible be markers for diagnosis and activity of Takayasu's arteritis, Complement activity, complement modulation protein and antibody production may be involved in immune mechanism of Takayasu's arteritis. Further study of these proteins may be helpful to elucidate the pathologic mechanism of Takayasu's arteritis.

Detection of osteopontin in sera, urine and renal tissue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its significance.

Objective To investigate the expression of osteopontin (OPN)in serum,urine and renal tissue of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)and its relevance with organ damage in and activity of this disease.Methods Enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to detect the concentration of OPN in the sera of 100 patients with SLE and 30 sex-and age-matched normal human controls as well as in the urine of 57 patients with SLE and 15 normal human controls.Renal tissue was obtained from 3 patients with lupus nephritis and subjected to immunohistochemistry for the observation of OPN.Results The level of OPN was significantly higher in the sera and urine of patients with SLE than in those of normal human controls (64.03 ±72.87 μg/L vs 29.88±1 1.28μg/L,454.87±231.63 μg/L vs 122.67±39.47μg/L,both P<0.05).Increased level of OPN in sera and urine was also observed in patients with active SLE com-pared with those with inactive SLE (80.92±87.49μg/L vs 36.43±23.48μg/L,584.36±207.15 μs/L vs 28 1.08±1 3 1.92μg/L,both P<0.05).A positive correlation was noted between the serum level of OPN and SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI)(r=0.462,P<0.01),and the level of urine OPN was positively correlated with both SLEDAI and the concentration of urine immunoglobulin G.urine mierualbumin.urine α1-microglo-bulin,urine β2-microglobulin(r=0.901,0.458,0.359,0.342,0.409,respectively,all P<0.05).OPN was found in renal tubule epithelia of the three patients with lupus nephritis.Conclusion OPN may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE and associated with the renal damage in patients with lupus nephritis. Key words: Lupus erythematosus,systemic; Osteopontin; Lupus nephritis

Use of chemometric and quantum-mechanical methods in the analysis of bioactive terpenoids and phenylpropanoids against the Aedes aegypti

Dengue fever is one of the main public health problems in the world. Many mosquitoes have developed resistance to the conventional insecticides used. Thus, the search for vegetable extracts and natural substances as alternative insecticides has increased. In this study, chemometric methods were employed to classify a group of terpenoid and phenylpropanoid compounds with biological activity against the larval of the A. aegypti mosquitoes. The AM1 (Austin Model 1) method was used to calculate a set of molecular descriptors (properties) for the studied compounds. Then, the descriptors were analyzed using the following methods of pattern recognition: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA). The PCA and HCA methods have shown to be very effective for the classification of the study compounds in two groups (active and inactive). The electronic variables EHOMO-1, EHOMO-2, ELUMO, ELUMO+2, and the structural LogP were used to classify as active and inactive compounds. In most studied compounds, the variables responsible for separating active from inactive compounds were electronic descriptors. Thus, it can be concluded that electronic effects play a fundamental role in the interaction between biological receptor and terpenoid and phenylpropanoid compounds with activity against larval A. aegypti mosquitoes.

Role of 3.0 T MR vessel wall imaging for identifying the activity of Takayasu arteritis

Objective To analyze and explore the value of 3 T high resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging for identifying the activity of Takayasu arteritis. Methods Twenty-six consecutive patients with Takayasu arteritis underwent 3.0 T high resolution MR vessel wall imaging on supraortic vessels (according to the classification of Lupi-Herrea , type Ⅰ and Ⅲ were included). Sixteen patients were in active phase and 10 in inactive phase based on the Kerr criteria. The MR vessel wall imaging appearances of Takayasu arteritis were compared between the active phase and inactive phase cases. Results Wall thickening was demonstrated in all involved arteries. There were statistically significant differences between active phase and inactive phase cases in MR appearances including multi-ring thickening of vessel wall (75/80 and 18/50), arterial inner wail enhancement (50/80 and 19/50), obscurity of perivascular fat (55/80 and 18/50,X =50.39,7.41,13.40,P<0.01). There was also a statistically significant difference in the thickness of carotid artery wall between the two groups [ (3.8±0.2) mm vs (2.5±0.8) mm]. Conclusion 3 T high resolution MR vessel wall imaging is valuable for identifying the activity of Takayasu arteritis. Key words: Takayasu arteritis; Magnetic resonance imaging

Mobilités, ségrégations résidentielles et bonus démographique dans la zone métropolitaine de santiago du Chili

La prosperite economique de Santiago du Chili, une des capitales les plus segregees du continent, en fait un cas d’ecole pour l’etude des relations entre les inegalites, la segregation residentielle, les mobilites territoriale et sociale. Le questionnement de l’etude est d’abord demographique, en cela qu’il se focalise, sur trois temporalites des pratiques segregatives et de mobilite exprimees par l’âge des individus : le cycle de vie, les histoires generationnelles et une trajectoire urbaine inflechie par le bonus demographique. Pour y parvenir, l’analyse statistique de la segregation porte sur toute la population, selon les categories socioprofessionnelles, incluant des groupes d’inactifs, lesquels contribuent aussi a la fabrique urbaine. L’accent est mis sur la dynamique de leurs pratiques entre 1992 et 2002, dans un contexte de recul historique de la pauvrete et de modification profonde de l’emploi metropolitain. Le rendu des resultats insiste sur les ressorts demo-economiques de la segregation et en particulier la contribution des mobilites.

Interannual variability of Atlantic hurricane activity and some features of West African climate

The aim of this study is to describe over the Atlantic Ocean and West Africa, the large scale differences between an inactive hurricane period (1991 - 1994) and an active hurricane period (1998 - 2001), before and during the peak of the cyclone season (May - June - July; MJJ and August- September - October; ASO). Over West Africa, the monsoon flow at low level extends more northward during the active period. This period is also characterized by the northward shift and the westward extension over the Atlantic Ocean of the African Easterly Jet (AEJ) and by the existence of a strong Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ). Moreover, intense low-level cyclonic vortices propagate in an unstable and weak sheared environment. These favorable conditions were generally present over Africa and over the North Atlantic Ocean during MJJ. The relationships between Atlantic cyclonic activity and the West African climate are strong during active cyclone years. African Easterly Waves (AEWs) are more intense and more frequent during the active period, both in their Sahelian and Gulf of Guinea tracks, while over the ocean, their activity and number decrease. During MJJ, the AEWs are more active over West Africa during active than inactive years. Key words: African easterly waves, tropical cyclones, African monsoon.

The ANALYSIS of Chimerism IN ACTIVATED T Lymphocites CD25+ Improves the CAPACITY of the T Lymphocytes CD3+ Chimerism Dinamic to Predict COMPLICATIONS AFTER Allogenic STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION.

Abstract 4307 IntroductionComplications after Allogenic Stem Cell Transplantation (Allo-SCT) are influenced by the immunological fenomena associated to the alloreactivity/allotolerance between donor and recepient. In this context, the usefulness of chimerism quantification in T lymphocytes for the prediction of complications after Allo-SCT is well known. However, to our knowledge, there is no information on the utility of chimerism analysis in activated lymphocytes (CD25+). ObjectiveTo stablish an asociation betwen the more common complications post Allo-Tph (aGVHD, cGVHD, relapse, reject), and the chimerism dynamics in CD25+ activated lymphocytes in the early period post-transplantation, trying to predict the patients with more risk of suffering from this complications. Materials and MethodsThe study included 38 Allo-SCT (17 NMA, 21 MA; 7 Haploidentical, 13 non-related donor, 18 identical donor; 7 UCB, 5 BM, 26 PB). Chimerism analysis was performed every 2 weeks until complete chimerism (CC) was achieved, and every 3 months thereafter. Follow up was censored when patients received DLI or 2nd Allo-SCT.Chimerism quantification was performed by microsatellite PCR (STR-PCR; AmpFlSTR SGM Plus; Applied Biosystems) on DNA obtained from peripheral blood and purified cell lineages (95% putity) by immunomagnetic technology (Miltenyi Biotec). ResultsTable 1 shows the results at day +30 for T and activated lymphocytes (CD3+ and CD25+) allocating patients in two groups depending on the relative percentage of recipient cells (% rec) in both cell lineages. 20 patients were in CC in CD25+, maintening this CC during the study. 18 patients were found in MC in CD25+ (18/38 MC). 1/18 was in CC in CD3+ TL, and 10/18 were in CC in whole blood. 17/18 were in MC both in CD3+ and CD25+ lymphocytes,Table 1Day + 30 post Allo-Tph n=17% rec CD25 >% rec CD3% rec CD3>% rec CD25Patients125aGVHD >15 (41%)1 (20%)cGVHD4 (33%)1 (20%)CQ day+907 (58%)5 (100%)Relapse4 (33%)0 (0%)Rejection1 (8%)0 (0%)Although no statistical significance is achieved due to the reduced sample size, patients in the first group (% rec higher in activated that in T lymphocytes) tend to achieve CC later and to show higher risk of developing complications such as acute and chronic GVHD, relapse or rejection. ConclusionsA higher incidence of complications post Allo-SCT (aGVHD, cGVHD, relapse, rejection) in patients with % of recipient in CD25+> % recipient in CD3 at day 30. Chimerism analysis in activated lymphocytes (CD25+) is of great utility after Allo-SCT since it allows beter prediction of complications than standard follow up of whole blood or T lymphocytes. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Experimental study of low molecular weight heparin drug delivery system for prevention of posterior capsular opacification in rabbit eyes

To investigate the safety and efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparin drug delivery system (LMWH DDS) for prevention of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) in rabbit eyes. (1) To prepare the LMWH DDS by freeze-drying way with Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) as the carrier, and evaluate its release properties in vitro. (2) Fifty New Zealand albino rabbits (50 eyes) undergoing phacoemulsification were equally divided into five groups: receiving normal saline eye drops (group A), 3 different dose (1 mg, 0.5 mg and 0.25 mg) of LMWH DDS respectively implanted into the posterior chamber (group B, C and D), and a carrier DDS implanted into the posterior chamber (group E). All the 50 eyes were examined by slit-lamp microscopy. The low-molecular-weight heparin levels in aqueous humor were measured, and the wet posterior capsules were weighed. The LMWH DDS prepared with a freeze-dried way has high encapsulation efficiency, and the equation of 49-day release curve fitting in vitro were were similar to zero order. The fibrin exudation in group B, C and D were lower than in Group A and E during the first postoperative day. There were 10, 2, 3, 9 and 10 eyes that developing PCO in the group A, B, C, D and E, respectively. The mean wet-weight of the posterior capsule were (114.59 +/- 14.58) mg, (24.14 +/- 6.08) mg, (39.23 +/- 17.13) mg, (99.35 +/- 29.37) mg, (115.29 +/- 19.87) mg respectively in 5 trial groups. There were stable and high concentration of low molecular weight heparin in aqueous of group B and C during the 4 weeks (> 20 mg/L), while a instable and lower concentrations in group D. The result of optical microscopy and electron microscopy examination indicated that fibroblast proliferation was quite active in groups A, D and E, but inactive in group B and C. Neither infiltration of inflammatory cells at the cornea, iris, trabecular meshwork and ciliary body nor retinal degeneration or necrosis was found in any group at 12 weeks. There was no intraocular bleeding in all the five groups in the following 12 weeks. The LMWH DDS prepared by freeze-drying way with PLGA as the carrier has good slow-release and biological tolerance. Implantation of LMWH DDS into the posterior chamber of experimental animals can significantly reduce postoperative fibrin exudation, and can safe and effective prevent the occurrence of PCO, and also there were some dose-effect relationship.

Cytomegalovirus infects its host cells and induces their renin gene expression

Objective To explore renin expression in cytomegalovirus(CMV) infected juxtaglomerular cells(JG) and its biological significance. Methods JG model cell line As4.1 cells derived from kidney tissue were respectively incubated with murine CMV at multiplicities of infection(MOI) of 10, 0.1 and 0 for 5 d, and the control was mock infection with the same amount of ultraviolet inactive CMV as MOI 10, then the cells were harvested. CMV immediate early gene(IE1) mRNA in the cells was tested by RT-PCR. The renin positive cells and the renin fluorescence granules in the cells were examined by immunofluorescence stain. Whether or not re-nin antigen and CMV antigen were showed in the same cells by FITC and TRITC immunofluorescence. The renin gene expression in the cells was individually detected by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. Results The cells infected by CMV showed typical cytopathic effect(CPE) and viral plaques in the cell monolayer. CMV IE1 mRNA was found in the viral infected cells by RT-PCR. The mass or ring granules of renin positive fluorescence appeared in the cytoplasm of the CPE cells. The renin positive cells congregated around the viral plaques. Renin positive granules and CMV positive granules showed in the same cells. Renin expression in the CMV infected cells exhibited in a dependent manner of ratio of infectious virus particles to cells. Conclusion CMV infection of the cells derived from kidney tissue induces renin expression related to a new pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Key words: Cytomegalovirus ; Juxtaglomerular cells; Renin

Application of three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography in synovitis of rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To investigate the application value of three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography(3D-PDU) for synovial disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Methods Forty four patients with RA were divided into active (23 cases) and non-active (21 cases) groups. 3D-PDU was used in the wrists to measure the volume of synovium(V) ,vascular index(VI) in synovium.and Doppler spectrum was used to measure synovial artery peak systolic blood flow velocity(PSV) , end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index(RI). Results There were significant differences of the V [(1. 73 0. 73) cm3] and VI (9. 53 6. 11) in the group of active patients compared to the V [(1. 09 0. 76) cm3 , P = 0. 008] and VI [(3.86 4.99), P = 0.000] in the ones of inactive patients. No differences were found for PSV [(16. 8 6. 29) cm/s vs (13. 5 8. 54) cm/s, P = 0. 282] ,EDV [(5. 51 1.77) cm/s vs (5. 03 2. 76) cm/s, P = 0. 539] and RI (0. 66 0. 07 vs 0. 62 0. 08, P = 0. 095)in the comparison of two groups. Conclusions 3D-PDU in determining RA disease activity in patients with synovial medium has a higher application value, VI can be used as an effective indicator to determine the disease activity. Key words: ] Ultrasonography; Arthritis,rheumatoid; Synovial membrane

Effect of culture supernatant of CpG ODN-stimulated neutrophils from patients with psoriasis vulgaris on the proliferation of keratinocytes.

Objective To investigate the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris. Methods Neutrophils were isolated from venous blood samples of 25 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (including 13 cases of active psoriasis and 12 cases of inactive psoriasis) as well as 25 normal human con-trols, and cultured. Then, these neutrophils were grouped and treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 g/L), CpG-A (50 mg/L), CpG-B (50 mg/L), and RPMI 1640 culture medium, respectively, for 24 hours followed by the collection of culture supernatants. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were cultured in the presence of su-pernatants of treated or untreated neutrophils for 72 hours followed by the detection of cell proliferation with MTT assay. To determine the role of proinflammatory factors, SOD/CAT and monoclonal antibody to IL-8 and TNF-alpha of 400 u/mL were used to pretreat HaCaT cells 1 hour prior to the stimulation with super-natants of neutrophils. Results Compared with culture medium, the supernatant of unstimulated neutrophils from normal controls or patients with inactive psoriasis had no significant effect on the proliferation of HaCaT cells (P > 0.05), but that from patients with active psoriasis markedly promoted the proliferation of HaCaT cells (t = 2.41, P < 0.05). After stimulation by LPS, CpG-A and CpG-B, the supernatant of active patient-derived neutrophils significantly promoted the proliferation of HaCaT cells compared with that of normal control-derived neutrophils (t = 3.11, 2.89, 2.29, respectively, all P < 0.05). In comparison with unstimulated neutrophils, the supernatant from LPS- and CpG-A stimulated neutrophiles significantly accelerated the pro-liferation of HaCaT cells. Furthermore, the proliferation of HaCaT cells induced by the supematants of LPS-, CpG-A-, CpG-B-stimulated neutrophils from psoriatic patients was statistically suppressed by the pretreat-ment with the monoclonal antibody to IL-8, TNF-alpha and SOD/CAT (all P < 0.05). Conclusions In patients with psoriasis vulgaris, there is an abnormal secretion of IL-8, TNF-alpha and superoxide by neutrophils in peripheral blood, and these proinflammatory factors could promote the proliferation of HaCaT cells. Key words: Psoriasis; Neutrophils; Keratinocytes; Cytokines

AO titanium elastic nail combined with autologous hone marrow injection for treatment of simple bone cysts of the long bones in children

Objective To study the effects and advantages of the treatment for simple bone cysts of the long bones in children with AO titanium elastic nail and autologous bone marrow injection. Methods Eighteen patients with a simple bone cyst at humerus or femur were managed with AO titanium elastic in-tramedullary nail combined with autologous bone marrow injection. There were eleven boys and seven girls in total, with the mean age of 8.1 years, ranged from 6 to 12 years. Twelve cysts was located in the proximal end of humerus, five in the proximal end of femur and one in the middle part of the shaft of femur. Twelve cysts were active and six inactive according to Neer standard. Radiographic evaluation was performed three, six, twelve and eighteen months after operation during the 11 to 23 months follow-up by taking anteroposteri-or and lateral X-ray pictures. Then we measured residual radiolucent areas on X-ray pictures and did statistic research with group comparison. Results Six cysts (33.3%) healed completely, and twelve (66.7%) healed with residual radiolucent areas which were visible on X-ray pictures 3 to 6 months after operation. Residual radiolucent areas on X-ray pictures gradually reduced during the different phases and it has statistical signif-icance by group comparison. There was no recurrence or major complication except for one patient with mild irritation of skin caused by the end of the nail up to now. Conclusion The treatment for simple bone cysts of the long bones in children combined with AO titanium elastic nail and autologous bone marrow injection not only has satisfactory healing rate but also can provide early stability to the long bones, and accelerate the healing of cysts which allows early mobilization and thus obviates the long-term need for a plaster cast and decreases the prevalence of the most common complication: a pathological fracture. Key words: Titanium; Bone cysts; Bone Screws; Bone marrow transplantation; Child

Resistance exercise plus to aerobic activities is associated with better lipids' profile among healthy individuals: the ATTICA study

The influence of different types of exercise on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases has rarely been investigated. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of adding resistance exercise to aerobic activities on lipid-lipoprotein profile, in a representative sample of men and women from the province of Attica, Greece. We randomly enrolled 1514 and 1528 healthy men and women, respectively, stratified by city, age and gender distribution. Participants were classified as inactive (INA), sufficiently active (SA) and highly active for either aerobic activities (HAA) alone or a combination of aerobic plus resistance exercise (HAC). The main outcome measures are lipid-lipoprotein profile [total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein-A1, apolipoprotein-B] and anthropometric indices. From those participating in aerobic activities, 480 (31.7%) men and 502 (32.9%) women were classified as SA, 100 men (6.6%) and 93 women (6.1%) as HAA and 90 men (5.9%) and 49 women (3.2%) as HAC. After various adjustments were made, men from the HAC group had an average of 23% lower plasma triacylglycerol concentration (P = 0.04) and 10% lower LDL-cholesterol (P = 0.01) when compared with the HAA group. Moreover, women from the HAC group had 13% lower LDL-cholesterol when compared with HAA group (P = 0.051). These data suggest that combining aerobic and resistance-type activities may confer a better effect on lipoprotein profile in healthy individuals than aerobic activities alone.

AlphaKAP, a catalytically inactive CaMK-II, is required for left/right patterning

AlphaKAP, a catalytically inactive CaMK-II, is required for left/right patterning

Expression of BT-related protein-1 on B lymphocytes in peripheral blood from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its relationship with disease activity.

Objeetive To explore the differentiation of B lymphocytes and expression of B7-related protein-1 (B7RP-1)on B lymphocytes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods Three-color immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometric assay were used to analyze the frequency of three types of B lymphocytes,I.e.,plasma cells,memory B lyphocytes and naive B lymphocytes,as well as the expression of B7RP-1 on these cells in peripheral blood from 23 patients with SLE and 16 normal human controls.Clinical data of these patients with SLE were collected.and SLE disease activi index(SLEDAI)was also evaluated.The relationship was assessed between the expression of B7RP-1 and SLEDAI.Results The frequency of plasma cells was highest in patients with active SLE.followed by patients with inactive SLE and normal human controls(P＜0.01).A significant decrease was observed in the frequency of memory B lymphocytes in patients with active SLE compared with normal controls (P＜0.01),but no significant difference was found between patients with inactive SLE and those with active SLE(P＞0.05).Regarding the frequency of naive B lymphocytes,there was no significant difierence among the three groups.Increased frequency of plasma cells was also noted in patients with lupus nephritis(LN)compared with those without LN [(6.15±3.12)%vs(3.31±1.41)%,P＜0.05 ],but no significant difierence was found with regard to the frequency of memory or naive B lymphocytes between these two groups.The expression rate Of B7RP-1 was significantly lower on total lymphocytes from patients with SLE than from normal human controls (46.51%vs 63.75%,P＜0.05),which was the case with B7RP-1 on plasma cells,memory B lyphocytes and naive B lymphocytes (all P＜0.01),whereas no significant difierence was found between patients with inactive SLE and active SLE or between patients with and without LN.In addition.no correlation was found between the expression of B7RP-1 and SLEDAI(r=0.035,P＞0.05).Conclusions In peripheral blood of patients with SLE,the frequency of plasma cells is increased,while the expression of B7RP-1 on lymphocytes is decreased,which may be relevant to the pathogenesis of SLE. Key words: Lupus erythematosus,systemic; Antigens,CD27; B-lymphocytes; B7-related protein-1

Change of airflow patterns inside the maxillary sinus influenced by uncinate process

to study the change of the airflow patterns inside the maxillary sinus that influenced by uncinate process. Two kinds of cadavers were used, one had a normal uncinate process and the others had an out-gressin uncinate process. The airflow patterns inside the maxillary sinus were compared between them. Also compared were the airflow patterns inside the maxillary sinus before and after the excision of the uncinate process. The airflow patterns inside the maxillary sinus in cadavers with a normal uncinate process exchanged actively. The smoke easily entered the maxillary sinus and could be found easily. It entered in the maxillary sinus with a whirlpool form. It cost about (11.4 +/- 1.4) s till the smoke dissipated from the maxillary sinus. On the other hand, in cadavers with an out-gressin uncinate process, the airflow patterns inside the maxillary sinus exchanged inductively. The smoke entered in the maxillary sinus and could be observed, but it was less than that in cadavers with a normal uncinate process. The form of the smoke could not be judged. It cost (24.2 +/- 1.6) s till the smoke dissipated from the maxillary sinus. The airflow patterns inside the maxillary sinus became inactive after the excision of the uncinate process in all kinds of cadavers. The normal uncinate process permits the physiological commutation of air inside the maxillary sinus.