OBJECTIVE To acknowledge the current administrative situation in gastrointestinal endoscopies in Xi′an health settings.METHODS Using standard questionnaire to investigate endoscope disinfection related knowledge of the staff,facilities and layout in endoscopy room,washing and decontamination process and operating records.Samples were collected from gastrointestinal endoscope channels,biopsy forceps,disinfectants and the water in bottles.Then laboratory analysis was employed to check bacteria count,pathogen and efficient components of disinfectants.RESULTS Among 35 hospitals monitored,manual cleaning the endoscope was used by 29 hospitals,from which 75% samples were up to standard of guideline.The qualification rate of using automatic washing devices and acidic electrolytic water to disinfect endoscope was 15% and 78%,respectively.All biopsy forceps were up to standard.78% Efficient components of glutaraldehydes were up to 2%.CONCLUSIONS The rate of using automatic washing devices to clean gastrointestinal endoscopy is still low.It is important to strengthen supervision of hospital gastrointestinal endoscope disinfection to control nosocomial infection.

Objective: To observe the effects of moxibustion therapy at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) of rats with induced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the serumal intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICMA-1) and the pathological tissue, to discuss the mechanism of the warming and activating effect of moxibustion. Methods: After establishing the RA rats model, the induced rats were treated with moxibustion therapy on the acupoint Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36), followed by analyzing the pathological section of the ankle of the hind limb and testing the ICAM-1 content with ELISA. Results: The plantar circumferences of the induced rat increased significantly compared with the rats in the control group (P<0.01), accompanying with the increase of the synovial layer, the erosion of phlogocytes to chondrocytes and the specific increase of ICAM-1 content. After the moxibustion therapy, the plantar circumferences decreased significantly (P<0.01) while the synovial layer tended to reduce. In addition, there was no pathological damage of the articular cartilage and the ICAM content decreased with significant deviation (P<0.01), compared to the model group. Conclusion: It was concluded that moxibustion therapy could inhibit the arthrosynovitis and hyperplasia, ameliorate the erosion of phlogocyte to cartilage, prevent articular periosteal lesions and delay the pathological course. The warming and activating effect of moxibustion therapy may involve the inhibition of the formation of ICAM-1 and pannus.

Cervical and mediastinal lymph nodes ( CMLN) are usually close to some important ves-sels, nerves and organs, which brings much difficult for surgical and radiotherapy. CT-guided 125 I seed im-plantation is becoming an effective, safe and reliable treatment. CT could be used to observe the distribution of seeds, complication and therapeutic effect after the implantation. This paper focuses on the advances of CT-guided 125 I seed implantation on residual or relapsing metastatic CMLN.