ObjectiveTo investigate changes of the cellular immune function in the elderly patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after chemotherapy.Methods T-lymphocyte subsets and natural killer cell were detected in 29 elderly patients with NSCLC,20 adults with NSCLC and 22 healthy elderly,and their levels were compared between pre-chemotherapy and at the end of 2 cycles of chemotherapy in the elderly patients with NSCLC.ResultsThe levels of CD3,CD4,CD8,CD4/CD8andNK cell were (58.9±15.8),(32.3±12.7),(22.0±9.8),(1.3±0.7),(21.6± 7.7),respectively in the elderly patients with NSCLC,(65.9 ± 7.2),(38.5 ± 7.6),(23.1 ± 9.2),(1.5±0.7),(16.8±6.2),respectively in adults with NSCLC and (67.3±9.0),(39.0±7.8),(23.9±9.3),(2.0±1.6),(22.5±5.8),respectively in healthy elderly.The levels of CD3 and CD4 were decreased (t=2.109,2.159,P＜0.05) and NK cell was increased (t=2.273,P＜0.05) while CD8 and CD4/CD8 had no difference(t = 0.406,0.736,P＞ 0.05 ) in the elderly patients with NSCLC as compared with adults with NSCLC.The levels of CD3,CD4,and CD4/CD8 were lower (t = 2.234,2.200,2.016,all P＜ 0.05) in elderly patients with NSCLC than in healthy elderly,with no significant change in the levels of CD8 and NK cell(t= 0.700,0.474,P＞0.05) between the two groups.The levels of CD3 (51.6 ±10.3)was reduced(t=2.067,P＜0.05) and CD4 (31.7 ± 11.7),CD8(21.6 ± 6.5),CD4/CD8 (1.3 ± 0.7),NK cell (26.0 ±12.7)had no remarkable difference (t =0.186,0.180,0.289,1.570,all P＞ 0.05)after chemotherapy in elderly patients with NSCLC.ConclusionsThe cellular immune function in the elderly patients with NSCLC is lower than in adults with NSCLC and healthy elderly,and further decreases after chemotherapy.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of BiPAP mechanical ventilation in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)with type Ⅱ respiratory failure.Methods A total 56 patients suffering from respiratory failure due to exacerbation of COPD were randomly divided into treatment group (BiPAP plus routine therapy)and control group(routine comprehensive therapy).Blood gases,respiratory rates,heart rates,scores of the activity of accessory respiratory muscles,incubation rate,fatality rate were observed.Results In the treatment group,PO2 greatly increased,PCO2 greatly decreased,pH improved significantly,and respiratory rate,heart rate and scores of the activity of accessory respiratory muscles greatly decreased.The incubation rate and the fatality rate were significantly lower in the treatment group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion BiPAP mechanical ventilation plus routine therapy on COPD with type Ⅱ respiratory failure can improve the curative effects,lessen respiratory muscle fatigue,and decrease the need for incubation and fatality rate.

Objective To investigate the cellular immune function changes and the effect of thymosin alpha-1 on the changes in elderly patients with severe pneumonia. Methods T cell subset and natural killer (NK) cell were detected in 66 elderly patients with severe pneumonia and 34 elderly patients with common pneumonia. The severe pneumonia patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: the treatment groups (34 cases) and the control group (32 cases). All patients received conventional therapy of pneumonia. The treatment group received 1.6 mg of thymosin alpha-1 through subcutaneous injection once a day for a week and twice a week later. Results The levels of CD3, CD4, CD8 and NK cell were lower in elderly patients with severe pneumonia than in patients with common pneumonia [(43.54%±18.97%) vs. (45.46%±10.43%), (25.43%±12.72%) vs. (38.47%±8.20%), (16.68%±9.30%) vs. (22.36%±8.06%), (13.52%±4.66%) vs. (17.87%±7.11%), t=-6.779、-5.85、-3.161、-3.285 respectively all P＜0.05]. The levels of CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 and NK cell increased significantly after treatment in treatment group [(64.22%±5.53%) vs. (61.53%±13.41%), (31.70%±4.38%) vs. (26.07%±4.31%), (1.27%±0.91%) vs. (0.97%±0.22%), (17.67%±4.56%) vs. (15.44%±3.82%), F=5.591,11.526,8.934,4.564 respectively, all P＜0.05]. The duration of antibiotic injection and length of stay were lower in treatment group than in control group [(14.17±2.51) d vs. (14.42±2.79) d, (12.69±2.80) d vs. (15.04±3.58) d, t=-3.152、-2.690 respectively, all P＜0.05]. Conclusions The immune function of the elderly patients with severe pneumonia is lower. Thymosin alpha-1 can improve the immune function of the elder patients with severe pneumonia and is helpful for controlling an infection.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of orthodontic patients at Yonsei Dental Hospital from 2008 to 2012. METHODS: We evaluated Angle's classification from molar relationships, classification of skeletal malocclusion from the A point-nasion-B point angle, facial asymmetry, and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) from the records of 7,476 patients who received an orthodontic diagnosis. The orthognathic surgery rate, extraction rate, and extraction sites were determined from the records of 4,861 treated patients. RESULTS: The patient number increased until 2010 and gradually decreased thereafter. Most patients were aged 19-39 years, with a gradual increase in patients aged ≥ 40 years. Angle's Class I, Class II divisions 1 and 2, and Class III malocclusions were observed in 27.7%, 25.6%, 10.6%, and 36.1% patients, respectively, with a gradual decrease in the frequency of Class I malocclusion. The proportion of patients with skeletal Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusions was 34.3%, 34.3%, and 31.4%, respectively, while the prevalence of facial asymmetry and TMDs was 11.0% and 24.9%, respectively. The orthognathic surgery rate was 18.5%, with 70% surgical patients exhibiting skeletal Class III malocclusion. The overall extraction rate among nonsurgical patients was 35.4%, and the maxillary and mandibular first premolars were the most commonly extracted teeth. CONCLUSIONS: The most noticeable changes over time included a decrease in the patient number after 2010, an increase in the average patient age, and a decrease in the frequency of Angle's Class I malocclusion. Our results suggest that periodic characterization is necessary to meet the changing demands of orthodontic patients.
Bicuspid ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Epidemiology ; Facial Asymmetry ; Humans ; Korea* ; Malocclusion ; Molar ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Prevalence ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; Tooth