Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone plus opioid drugs for moderate-to-severe cancer pain, and the effect on immune function in patients with cancer pain. Methods: A total of 80 patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method, with 40 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with opioid drugs for analgesia according to the standardized management principles for cancer pain. In addition, the observation group was given moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone. The treatment was performed once a day, continuous 5-day treatment with a 2-day interval constituted a treatment course, and a total of 2 courses were performed. The score of numerical rating scale (NRS) and 24 h equivalent morphine consumption was compared between the two groups before treatment, after 1 treatment course and after 2 courses of treatment. The immune functions were compared between the two groups before and after 2 courses of treatment. Results: During the treatment, there were 3 dropouts in the control group, and 2 dropouts in the observation group. Before the treatment, there were no significant differences in the NRS score and 24 h equivalent morphine consumption between the two groups (both P＞0.05). The NRS scores of both two groups were quite stable during the whole treatment period, and there was no significant difference in the intra-group comparison after treatment (both P＞0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at the same time point (both P＞0.05). In the control group, the 24 h equivalent morphine consumption showed an increasing trend. The dosage after 1 treatment course and 2 courses of treatment was statistically different from that before treatment in the control group (both P＜0.01). There was no significant change in the mean 24 h equivalent morphine consumption in the observation group compared with that before treatment (both P＞0.05). After 2 courses of treatment, the 24 h equivalent morphine consumption in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the same time point (P＜0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the levels of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+) between the two groups (all P＞0.05). After treatment, the levels of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+) in the control group were lower than those before treatment (all P＜0.05), while the levels in the observation group were higher than those before treatment, and the levels of CD3+ and CD4+ were significantly different from those before treatment (both P＜0.05). After treatment, the levels of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+) of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group at the same time point (all P＜0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion with seed-sized moxa cone can reduce the dosage of opioid drugs used in patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain and improve their immune functions.

Objective To investigate the impact of aging and vascular endothelial function on arterial stiff- ness in patients with isolated systolic hypertension.Methods Patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH,n=75)age-matched healthy subjects(n=30)and young healthy subjects(n=50)were submitted to deter- mination of aortic pulse wave velocity(baPWV)and vascular endothelial function evaluated by flow-mediated dila- tion(FMD).Results baPWV was progresively decreased(ISH:2459.2?436.8 vs elderly healthy:2097.2? 315.7 vs young healthy:1619.7?214.2 cm/s,P

A sensitive high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) method was established for the determination of eplerenone (EP) in human plasma. The plasma samples of EP were extracted with ethyl acetate and separated by HPLC on a reversed phase C18 column with a mobile phase of 10 mmol x L(-1) ammonium acetate water solution-methanol (30 : 70, v/v). EP was determined with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 2-4 000 ng x mL(-1) for EP. The lower limit of quantification was 2 ng x mL(-1). The method has been successfully applied in the pharmacokinetic study of the EP tablets. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of EP after oral administration of 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg were as follows, t1/2: (4.9 +/- 2.1), (4.7 +/- 1.5), (5.9 +/- 1.2) h; AUC(0-infinity): (4 402 +/- 1 735), (8 150 +/- 2 509), (13 783 +/- 4 102) microg x h x L(-1); and MRT: (6.2 +/- 2.1), (6.6 +/- 1.3), and (7.2 +/- 1.6) h. Parameters of EP after oral administration of multiple doses of 50 mg were as follows, t1/2: (6.1 +/- 1.7) h; AUC(ss): (10 071 +/- 4220) microg x h x L(-1); MRT: (8.1 +/- 2.3) h; and DF: (3.2 +/- 1.0).
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Humans ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Spironolactone ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical and pathological features of primary lymphoma of the testis and try to find out the rational treatment modality.

METHODSRetrospective and follow-up analysis was conducted in 23 patients with primary lymphoma of the testis. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier process.

RESULTSThe primary clinical symptom was painless tumefaction. 78.3% lesions were Stage I(E) on diagnosis. Most of them were intermediate grade B cell lymphoma. All patients received orchiectomy followed by chemotherapy and some followed by radiotherapy. The median survival time was 42 months. The overall survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 100.0%, 59.8% and 36.5%, respectively. The disease-free survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 66.7%, 42.3% and 36.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONPrimary lymphoma of the testis is preferably treated by multi-modality treatment. More than 6 cycles of chemotherapy is rational after orchiectomy. Regional radiotherapy tends to reduce the local relapse.

Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Testicular Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the combined effect of etoposide (Vp-16) and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) on mobilization of autologous peripheral blood stem cells (APBSC) in malignant tumor patients and find out the suitable dose of Vp-16.

METHODSThirty patients were randomly divided into two groups, 15 in each group. In group A, Vp-16 1000 mg/m(2) was injected intravenously in six divided doses, for 2 hours every 12 hours on day 1, 2 and 3. In group B, Vp-16 1500 mg/m(2) was injected intravenously in six divided doses for 3 hours every 12 hours on day 1, 2 and 3. rhG-CSF was given as a single daily injection subcutaneously at the dose of 300 microg.body(-1).day(-1) from the day of the nadir of white blood cell (WBC) to the day before the end of APBCS harvest. APBSC harvest started when WBC > or = 5.0 x 10(9)/L and finished when accumulated mononuclear cells (MNC) > or = 5 x 10(8)/kg or CD34+ cells > or = 2 x 10(6)/kg.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference between the time of nadir, nadir of WBC, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), the beginning time and continuous time of rhG-CSF given, the beginning time and continuous time of APBSC harvest. When the blood volume, flow rate and continuous time of apheresis were similar in each apheresis in the two groups, the number of APBSC in each harvest and total number of APBSC were also not significantly different between the two groups. The side effects induced by Vp-16 were also not significant different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONVp-16 combined with rhG-CSF is a safe and highly effective method for APBSC mobilization, 1000 mg/m(2) and 1500 mg/m(2) of Vp-16 possess similar efficiency and side effects for APBSC mobilization.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Child ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Etoposide ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Hodgkin Disease ; therapy ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Proteins

Objective To study the dosimetry of different arrangements of 125I seeds in one plane.Methods Nine different in-plane arrangements of 9 125I seeds (2.035 × 107 Bq/seed) were simulated according to distance (cm) along x (horizontal)- and y( longitudinal )-axis using the 3-dimensional treatment planning system (TPS) (3D-TPS): x0.5, y0. 5; x0. 5, y1.0; x0. 5, y1.5; x1.0, y1.0; x1.0, y1.5;x1.5, y1.5; x0. 5, y0. 5 (2)1.0; x0.5, y1.0 (2)0.5; x1.0, y1.0 (2)0.5. The isodose curves of 40,80, 130, 145 and 200 Gy were created and the area, radius and medical cost under the 40, 80, 130, 145and 200 Gy isodose curves were calculated. Results The area, radius and medical cost under the same isodose curves were significantly different with each 125I seed arrangement. The arrangements which had the biggest area under curves of 40, 80, 130, 145 and 200 Gy isodose were x1. 5, y1. 5; x1. 0, y1. 0; x1. 0,y1. 0; x0. 5, y1. 0 and x0. 5, y1. 0, respectively. Conclusion The matched peripheral dose and therapeutic effect were affected significantly by the geometric arrangement of 125I seeds.

Objective Functional constipation (FC) is a common complaint in childhood but the prevalence still remains unclear, the aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of FC in childhood in the northern parts of China. Methods A screening program on FC in childhood was carried out in 5 northern cities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shenyang, Changchun, Harbin) of China according to symptoms under the Rome Ⅲ criteria. Random clustered sampling of the inhabitants was carried out under stratification of cities, geographic zones, schools or nurseries.Sample size of each area was in proportion to the population of the area. The range of age was 4-14. All subjects under study were requested to fill in a questionnaire distributed by the teachers. The screening program was carried out immediately after a section survey was completed. All together, 20 000 questionnaires were distributed with 19 638 retrievals. According to the result of the screening, a small number of patients who met the criteria were further selected to undergo a detailed clinical examination in the hospital including laboratory examination, colonic transit time, defecography or/and barium enema, electromyologram and anorectal manometry to exclude organic disease of the colon. Simultaneously, a detailed questionnaire was requested to fill under the assistance of trained doctors or medical students.Prevalence of FC of the population was adjusted by the rate of correct diagnosis from the detailed study. Results The adjusted point prevalence of FC in 5 northern cities of China according to Rome Ⅲ criteria was 4.73% with higher prevalence rate of FC seen in the Beijing area (5.02%) than in other cities (4.82%, 4.76%, 4.27%, 4.40%, with P＜0.001 ). Male to female ratio was 1.26:1 with majority of the FC fell in the 4-6 year olds (5.76%). Conclusion FC appeared a common disorder in childhood in the northern parts of China which called for greater attention. Higher prevalence was noted in the age groups of 4-6.

BACKGROUND: Groundwater is believed to possess many beneficial effects due to its natural source of various minerals. In this study, we examined the effects of natural Jeju groundwater S1 (Samdasoo(TM)), S2 and S3 pumped up from different locations of Jeju Island, Korea, along with local tap water, on body weight gain, serum lipids and lipoproteins, and liver histopathology in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Rats were randomly and equally divided into 6 groups. Different water samples were supplied to the hyperlipidemic rats as their daily drinking water and the widely-used anti-hyperlipidemic drug simvastatin was used as a positive control. Body weight, serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured weekly. Liver weight, liver index and liver histopathology were examined after the execution of the rats. RESULTS: After drinking Jeju groundwaters for two months, S2 but not S3 significantly reduced weight growth and serum triglycerides levels and increased high density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) without affecting total cholesterol or LDL-C. S1 and particularly S2 significantly reduced the severity of liver hypertrophy and steatosis. All Groundwaters had much higher contents of vanadium (S3>S2>S1>>tap water) whereas S1 and S2 but not S3 markedly blocked autoxidation of ferrous ions. CONCLUSION: Jeju Groundwater S1 and particularly S2 exhibit protective effects against hyperlipidemia and fatty liver and hypothesize that the beneficial effect of Jeju Groundwaters may be contributed from blockade of autoxidation of ferrous ions rather than their high contents of vanadium.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Drinking ; Drinking Water ; Fatty Liver ; Groundwater* ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertrophy ; Ions ; Korea ; Lipid Metabolism* ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Minerals ; Rats* ; Simvastatin ; Triglycerides ; Vanadium ; Water

Aim To investigate the effectiveness and safety of alfentanil in general anesthesia.Methods In this study, a multicenter randomized double-blind con¬trolled study was conducted.A total of 352 subjects were selected and randomly assigned to fentanyl group (group A, n =176) and alfentanil group (group 15, n = 176).Anesthesia induction: intravenous midazolam 0.03 mg • kg-1 + fentanyl 25 p.g • kg"'(group A) or alfentanil 4 p,g • kg-1 ( group 15) + propofol 2 mg • kg"1 + rocuronium 0.8 mg • kg"1.Sevoflurane + fent¬anyl ( group A ) or alfentanil ( group B ) + rocuronium were used for anesthesia.The vital signs of patients re¬covery time and extuhation time, anesthesia-related complications and the use of related remedial drugs during anesthesia induction and maintenance were compared between the two groups.Results During the induction and maintenance period of anesthesia, alfentanil and fentanyl could equally effectively inhibit the stress response induced by endotracheal intubation and surgical stimulation.Alfentanil also showed more effective inhibition on stress response induced by endo¬tracheal intubation and surgical stimulation than that of fentanyl ( P < 0.05 ) .However, there was no signifi¬cant difference in the incidence of intraoperative hypo¬tension and hypertension and the time of anesthesia re¬covery and extubation between the two groups.Conclu¬sions Both alfentanil and fentanyl can effectively in¬hibit the stress response induced by surgical stimulation and could be safely used in general anesthesia in sur¬gery.Alfentanil has more advantages in maintaining the stability of blood pressure and heart rate during an¬esthesia induction and maintenance.

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications