A crystal with colourless and stick-form,C_(15)H_(26)N_2(M. W. 234, m. p.106), has been separated from the alcohol extract of leaves of Ammopiptanthus Mongolicus Maxim. It has been ascertained to be biguinalizidine alkaloid on the basis of its spectrum data and its structure was elucidated as L-?-isosparteine.

Objective A retrospective study was carried out to investigate the survival rate of nasopharyngeal cancer patients after the combined treatment of chemoradiotherapy and Chinese herbal medicine. Methods Based on the will of the patients, 230 cases were divided into treatment group (N=107) and control group (N=123). Both groups received chemoradiotherapy, and the treatment group was additionally given oral use of Chinese herbal medicine over 180 doses per year, and the treatment lasted over 2 years. The survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier estimator, and the Kaplan-Meier plot for the two groups was compared. Results (1) In the treatment group, the one-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate was 99.1%, 86.4%, 72.5%, and was 95.9%, 73.5%, 58.3% respectively in the control group. The Kaplan-Meier plot showed that significant difference of patient survival was presented in the two groups ( P<0.01) . ( 2) The results of hierarchical group analysis of 230 nasopharyngeal cancer patients showed higher survival rate can be achieved in the T3-4 and N0 poorly-differentiated squamous carcinoma patients aged 50 years or more at the stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ in the treatment group than that in the control group, and the statistical differences were significant ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion Chemoradiotherapy combined with Chinese herbal medicine can increase the survival rate, and prolong life span of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma patinets, in particular for the T3-4 and N0 poorly-differentiated squamous carcinoma patients aged 50 years or more at the stageⅢ-Ⅳ.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Analgesia ; Animals ; Brain Chemistry ; Morphine ; pharmacology ; Opium ; analogs & derivatives ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Rats

Objective To explore the methods of internal fixation for femoral neck fractures and evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of the interlocking expanding compressive screw (IECS)of Type HZS. Methods Based on the special biomechanical characteristics of the femoral neck fracture, the device of internal fixation was designed to consist of main screw, bifurcate screw, boost screw cap, washer, compressive screw cap, oblique interlocking screw and main screw cap. Its biomechanical performances were evaluated through comparison with those of the dynamic compressive screw (DCS), twin compressive screw (2CS) and three cannulated screws (3CS) respectively. Results The mechanical performances of the femoral neck fracture fixed with the interlocking expanding compressive screw were superior to those of the others in displacement ,axial and level stiffness, torsional strength and stiffness and terminal loading. Conclusion Interlocking expanding compressive screw can efficiently withstand the splitting, torsional, shearing, tensional and compressive forces in the fracture, and is simple, safe and easy to use. [

OBJECTIVETo determine the prevalence of loss to follow-up (PLF) and risk factors among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients from 1989 to 2012 in Baoshan city, Yunnan province.

METHODSThe epidemic and follow-up databases of HIV/AIDS patients by the end of 2012 were downloaded from "the history card downloading site" of HIV/AIDS database in China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention and obtained the related data of patients from 1989 to 2012 who had local residence in Baoshan city. These data included demographic characteristics (genders, age at the time of HIV testing positive, and occupation, marital status, and education levels, et al), transmission routes, and disease staging, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and sources of samples, the first CD4(+)T cell counts, and status of follow-up, et al. Descriptive epidemiological study was used to describe the general characteristics of loss to follow-up. Multivariable Cox regression was used for determining risk factors associated with loss to follow-up.

RESULTSA total of 3 295 eligible HIV/AIDS patients from 1989 to 2012 were included. The accumulative study person-year was 11 416.59 years, 222 HIV/AIDS patients were lost to follow-up, and the PLF was 0.019 4/ person years (py). The highest PLF was 0.052 8/py in 2008, the lowest was 0.006 2/py in 2012. The lost patients included 56.76% (126/222) males and 43.24% (96/222) females, the PLFs were 0.020 4/py, 0.018 3/py, respectively. Baoshan city, other cities in Yunnan province, and other provinces, foreign nationality as the family register reached 53.60% (119/222) , 28.83% (64/222) , and 5.86% (13/222) , 11.71% (26/222) , respectively, and their PLFs were 0.012 5/py, 0.046 3/py, and 0.053 6/py, 0.095 6/py, respectively. Receiving ART and not receiving ART occupied 6.76% (15/222) , 93.24% (207/222) , respectively, and the PLFs were 0.001 9/py, 0.0588/py. AIDS and HIV staging standed at 8.11% (18/222) , 91.89% (204/222) , respectively, and the PLFs were 0.003 3, 0.034 5/py. The first CD4(+)T cell counts < 200, 200-350, and > 350 cells /ml accounted for 4.95% (11/222) , 73.87% (164/222) , 21.17% (47/222) , respectively, and the PLFs were 0.004 8/py, 0.024 0/py, 0.020 3/py. The results of multivariable Cox regression showed the risks of loss to follow-up (RLFs) of family register as other cities in Yunnan province (HR = 3.11, 95%CI:2.28-4.25) , other provinces (HR = 2.55, 95%CI:1.42-4.56) , and foreign nationality (HR = 2.12, 95%CI:1.35-3.33) higher than that of Baoshan city, respectively. The RLFs of not receiving ART (HR = 20.83, 95%CI:11.74-36.96) and HIV staging (HR = 3.61, 95%CI:1.82-7.16) were higher than those of receiving ART and AIDS staging, respectively, moreover, the RFLs of the first CD4(+)T cell counts between 200-350 cells/ml (HR = 0.35, 95%CI:0.15-0.82) and the first CD4(+)T cell counts > 350 cells/ml (HR = 0.29, 95%CI:0.12-0.72) were less than that of first CD4(+)T cell counts < 200 cells /ml, respectively. The RLF of transmission route as injecting drug (HR = 0.60, 95%CI:0.41-0.88) was less than that of heterosexual contact.

CONCLUSIONOverall, the prevalence of loss to follow-up among HIV/AIDS patients shows a downward trend, moreover, patients of outsiders, heterosexual contact, HIV staging, baseline CD4(+)T cell counts < 200 cells/ml are at higher risk of loss to follow-up.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Continuity of Patient Care ; statistics & numerical data ; trends ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

AIM: To explore the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of promoter G~ -597 -A, G~ -572 -C, G~ -174 -C and T~ 15 -A, C~ 132 -T in exon 5 of interleukin 6 and lumbar intervebral disc disease. METHODS: The single nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin 6 gene, including polymorphisms of G~ -597 -A, G~ -572 -C in promoter, G~ -174 -C and T~ 15 -A, C~ 132 -T in exon 5 were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction and sequencing methods in 81 cases with lumbar intervebral disc disease and 101 healthy controls. The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin 6 gene with lumbar intervebral disc disease in two groups was measured. The association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin 6 gene with lumbar intervebral disc degeneration in those younger than 45-year-old were also measured. RESULTS: The G~ -572 -C polymorphism of interleukin 6 gene was observed, but no single nucleotide polymorphism of G~ -597 -A, G~ -174 -C in promoter and T~ 15 -A, C~ 132 -T in exon 5 in two groups was detected. There was no difference between the distribution of the G~ -572 -C polymorphism of interleukin 6 gene in two groups. In those younger than 45-year-old the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism of interlukin-6 gene and lumbar intervebral disc degeneration was not significant. CONCLUSION: There is G~ -572 -C polymorphism in Chinese. No relation between G~ -572 -C polymorphism of interleukin 6 with lumbar intervebral disc disease and lumbar intervebral disc degeneration was observed.

Objective Serum miRNA has been regarded as a potential biomarker for diagnosis, therapeutic evaluation and prognostic prediction in cancer patients. This study aims to explore the clinical significance of the expression level of metastasis- related microRNA (miR- 18b) in the serum in AFP- negative (≤ 20 ng/ml) hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients receiving radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods A total of 131 HCC patients with negative serum AFP, who were encountered during the period from January 2007 to January 2011 at authors’ hospital, were enrolled in this study. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the lesions was carried out in all patients. Serum samples were collected before RFA. Forty - three healthy individuals were selected for control. The expression level of serum miR - 18b was deternmined by using quantitative real- time PCR method in all the patients and the healthy individuals. The correlations of the expression level of serum miR - 18b with clinico - pathological factors, postoperative recurrence, overall cirrhosis (P = 0.035), tumor diameter (P < 0.01) and tumor differentiation (P = 0.020). During the follow-up period, 79 patients (60.3%) developed recurrent tumors, and the expression level of serum miR- 18b in them was dramatically higher than that in the patients showing no recurrence (3.26 ± 1.28 vs. 2.42 ± 0.86, P <0.01). The incidence of recurrence after RFA, especially distant intrahepatic metastasis, in patients with higher expression level of serum miR- 18b was strikingly higher than that in patients with lower expression level of serum miR- 18b (72.3% vs. 48.5%, P = 0.005). Kaplan- Meier survival analysis indicated that both overall survival rate and recurrence- free survival rate of patients with higher expression level of serum miR-18b were significantly lower than those of patients with lower expression level of serum miR- 18b. Conclusion The expression level of serum miR - 18b is significantly elevated in AFP - negative HCC patients. The expression level of serum miR- 18b might be used as an ideal biomarker for monitoring tumor recurrence as well as for predicting prognosis after RFA.

Objective To investigate the value of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic spine system (TESSYS) in lumbar discectomy for disc herniation. Methods Thirty one patients with lumbar disc herniation were treated with TES-SYS and followed up 6-12 months. The involved levels of vertebral segment included L34 (2 cases), L45 (21 cases) and L5S1 (8 cases). The targeted puncture was performed under local anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance. The foramen of involved level of vertebral segment was enlarged gradually with four trephinations, and the working cannula was inserted transforaminal in-to the canal. Then the herniation was exposed and removed with full endoscopic technique, including the loosen nucleus pulposus. The nerve root and dural sac were exposed and released adequately. Results The procedure was evenly carried out in 27 cases. After discectomy, the nerve roots were complete released, and not exposed in the first case of far lateral herni-ation and the second case of central herniation. The third case and eleventh case converted to microendoscopic discectomy, due to large herniation and intraoperative pain, respectively. The patients could walk in the same day, 1 or 2 days after opera-tion, with obvious relief of leg pain. One case of recurrence was found at 2 weeks after operation, who was treated conserva-tively. At the final follow-up, the visual analogue scale of leg pain decreased from 8.1±1.9 to 1.1±0.9, and the Oswestry dis-ability index (ODI) decreased from 31.1±8.3 to 3.4±3.3. According to MacNab scale, there were excellent results in 25 cases and good results in 6 cases. Conclusion The percutaneous endoscopic TESSYS is a good minimal invasive technique for lumbar discectomy, with good results and a learning curve.

Objective To investigate the effect of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction for allergic rhinitis(AR)with spleen -qi de-ficiency in guinea pigs.Methods AR guinea -pig model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin for general sensitization and then by nasal drip of ovalbumin for local sensitization.Spleen -qi deficiency mod el was induced by gastric infusion of cold -maceration extract of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei.Fifty -four guinea pigs were randoml y allocated to four groups:AR group(Group A),AR model with spleen -qi deficiency group(Group B),AR model with spleen -qi deficiency treated by Buzhong Yiqi group(Group C)and blank control group(Group D).Nasal symptoms were observed.The number of eosinophils(EOS )in nasal secretion was detected by sm ear cytologic examination and the number of EOS and mastocyte in nasal mucosa was exa mined by pathological section.Results Before local sensitization,nasal s ymp-toms such as nose scratching,sneezing and nasal discharge in Group A,Gro up B and Group C were severer than those in Group D and were improved in Group C in the late stage.Positive rate of EOS i n nasal secretion and nasal mucosa of Group C and Group D was lower than that in Group A and Group B and the differen ce was insignificant between Group C and Group D.The number of mastocyte i n Group C was lower than that in Group A and Group B.Conclusion Buzhong Yiqi Decoction can relieve nasal symptom s in AR Guinea pigs with spleen -qi deficiency by counteracting the infiltration of EOS and the increase of nastocytes in nasal mucosa.

Objective Recent studies in neonatal animals have shown that even slightly decreasing in brain or core temperature could ameliorate the damage resulting from hypoxic-ischemia insults. But the influence of hypothermia which had been used after the end of hypoxia-ischemia of the model hypoxia-ischemia brain damage(HIBD)was unknown. This research wanted to investigate whether hypothermia of defferent begin time after HIBD still could protect the brain in neonatal rats. Methods Pericranial temperatures were adjusted to 31 C in neonatal rats immediately or 2h after the end of hypoxia-ischemia(HI),the number of apoptosis cells in HIBD rats' brain had been counted,rat pups' storing food ability had been observed. Results Apoptosis increased obviously when rat pups were 8 days old, while hypothermia reduced apoptosis ,and postponed apoptosis expression in group that 31 C hypothermia was used immediately or 1h after the end of HI,and hypothermia improved the rat pups' storing food ability. This effect was more obviously in the group that hypothermia was used immediately after the HI than in the group that hypothermia was used 1h after the HI. But the protective effect was not clear in the group that hypothermia was used 2 h after the HI. Conclusion Hypothermia which was used within 1h after the end of HI could protect the HIBD neonatal rat pups brain, this effect was more obviously in the hypothermia be used early after the end of HI group than in the hypothermia be used late after the end of HI group.