Objective To explore the influence of montelukast on plasma nitric oxide in preschool children with asthma.Methods Forty-four preschool children with asthma aged 2-5 years who firstly met a criterion of asthma and treated 4 weeks with montelukast were investigated;and nitric oxide levels of plasma were inspected respectively before treatment and after treatment 1 week,4 weeks.Results The level of nitric oxide in the plasma of asthmatic children was obviously higher than that in normal control group(P

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical outcomes of a group of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients undergoing posterior pedicle screw-only instrumentations.

METHODSBetween April 2002 and July 2006, 121 AIS patients (93 female and 28 male, average age at operation was 15.5 years which ranged from 10 to 20 years) received posterior pedicle screw-only instrumentation and fusion. All the patients were evaluated by the various-parameters measured in X-ray films before and after surgery, including Cobb angle on coronal plane, Cobb angle on sagittal plane, clavicle angle and shoulder height difference, lowest instrumented vertebrae (LIV) angulation, proximal junction kyphotic angle, the distances of central sacral vertical line (CSVL) to the LIV, to the apical vertebra and to the C(7) plumb line respectively. Complications were followed.

RESULTSAn average of (11.0 + or - 1.5) levels was fused. An average coronal correction of proximal thoracic curve was 41.8%, of thoracic curve was 70.8%, of thoracolumbar/lumbar curves was 74.0%. No significant change was found in sagittal alignment. Shoulder balance and apex vertebral to central sacral line were restored well. There were no pseudoarthroses and loss of correction during the follow-ups. One adding-on, 4 proximal thoracic decompensation and 15 proximal junction kyphosis were found during the follow-ups.

CONCLUSIONPosterior pedicle screw-only instrumentation and fusion has excellent radiographic and clinical results with minimal complications in the surgical treatment of AIS.

Adolescent ; Bone Screws ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the number of harvested perisplenic hilar lymph nodes by laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) and conventional open total gastrectomy (OTG) for advanced upper and middle gastric cancer.

METHODSThree hundred twelve patients with advanced gastric cancer treated in a single institution between Sept 2008 and Jan 2011 were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: the LATG group and OTG (D2) group. All the surgical operations were performed by one surgeon or under his supervision. The lymph node clearance outcomes of the patients treated by those two surgical procedures were analyzed.

RESULTSThe harvested lymph node numbers of the two groups were (29.57 ± 9.62) and (29.38 ± 11.22) respectively, statistically with no significant difference (P = 0.875). The numbers of lymph node dissected around the splenic area in the LATG group and OTG group (Section 10, 11 group) were (2.01 ± 1.34) and (1.33 ± 1.11), respectively, indicating a significant difference (P = 0.000). The numbers of lymph nodes dissected around the celiac region (Section 7, 8, 9, 11p and 12a(2) group) were (7.90 ± 3.41) and (7.22 ± 2.65), respectively, with a non-significant difference (P = 0.050). There were also no significant differences while comparing with the numbers of lymph nodes dissected in the cardiac area (group 1, 2), pyloric region (5, 6 group) and the greater and lesser omentum area (group 3 and 4) between the two groups (P = 0.605, P = 0.248, P = 0.262).

CONCLUSIONShort-term results of this study indicate that laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (D2) is better than conventional open surgery in perisplenic hilar lymph node dissection.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Spleen ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

Elbow Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo obtain some effective objective markers used to predict the early liver metastasis of colorectal tumor, the relationship of liver metastasis of colorectal tumor with associate detection three markers such as CK20mRNA, CD44v6 and VEGF was studied.

METHODSThe expression of CK20mRNA in patrol venous blood from 30 colorectal cancer patients was detected by fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR, and the results of CD44v6 and VEGF in colorectal cancer tissue were determined by means of immunohistochemistry, and then compared with those in control groups.

RESULTSThe rate of positive expression of CK20mRNA in colorectal cancer patients' patrol venous blood was obviously superior to the level of benign pathological changes controls (P < 0.01), and significantly higher than that of normal controls (P < 0.01). The rate of positive expression of CD44v6 and VEGF in colorectal tumor tissue was distinctly superior to the level of benign pathological controls, and remarkable higher than that of normal controls (P < 0.01). The positive expression of liver metastasis was also clearly higher than that of no liver metastasis (P < 0.05). The rate of positive expression of CK20mRNA in patrol venous blood was evidently correlated to the expression of CD44v6 and VEGF in tumor tissue (r(1) = 0.933, r(2) = 0.906, P < 0.05). The results of associate detection of CK20mRNA, CD44v6 and VEGF were closely related to the incidence of liver metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSIf combined detecting these markers of CK20mRNA, CD44v6 and VEGF to forecast liver metastasis of colorectal tumor, the sensitivity and specialty of prediction will be improved, there were highly clinical values in predicting in early diagnosis liver metastasis of colorectal tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; analysis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-20 ; blood ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; secondary ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo use a mathematical model and computer simulation to study transmission dynamics and control of schistosomiasis in mountainous regions of Sichuan.

METHODSBased on studies of schistosomiasis japonica transmission in 20 villages in mountainous regions of Sichuan, a mathematical model was developed to characterize the impact of local environmental factors on transmission intensity. The model integrated site-specific factors and was calibrated to field epidemiological data from 3 subset villages. The dichotomic method was then used to predict different control measures.

RESULTSThe study showed high variations in prevalence of infection and infection intensity across villages, ranging between 3%-73%, 0.1-100 epg (eggs per gram stool), respectively. Important factors including occupation of local residents, exposure to contaminated water, microclimatic characteristics were integrated in the model. The predictions of dichotomic models showed that continuing chemotherapy (coverage between 50%-60%) could reduce infection intensities to 30%-80%, but could not change local transmission potential; therefore, the termination of chemotherapy would be followed by bouncing back of transmission. Sustaining targeted environmental interventions through snail and parasite oval control at certain coverage (30%-50%, respectively) could reduce the transmission to relatively stable levels. The model predictions showed that an integrated control (e.g., including both chemotherapy and environmental interventions) could suppress the transmission to an undetectable level even interruption of transmission between 5-10 years.

CONCLUSIONThe study demonstrated the feasibility of using a dynamic model, calibrated to local data, to gain insights into complicated processes underlying the transmission and informing site-specific control strategies.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Environment ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Models, Theoretical ; Schistosoma japonicum ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Snails ; parasitology

OBJECTIVETo investigate a novel method to differentiate hemangioma from vascular malformation, to stage hemangiomas and to monitor the efficacy of management for hemangioma.

METHODSThe urinary basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) concentration of 144 cases (including 69 cases of proliferating hemangiomas, 41 cases of involuting hemangiomas, 23 cases of vascular malformations and 11 negative controls) was examined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe differences of urinary bFGF concentration among proliferating hemangiomas, involuting hemangiomas, vascular malformations and negative control were all significant, while the differences between the latter three groups were not significant.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that examination of urinary bFGF concentration using ELISA technique is helpful in differentiating hemangioma from vascular malformation, staging hemangiomas and dynamically monitoring the efficacy of treatment for hemangiomas. Our results probably shed new light on the potential pathogenesis of hemangiomas and vascular malformation.

Arteriovenous Malformations ; diagnosis ; urine ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; urine ; Hemangioma ; diagnosis ; urine ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of gonadotroph-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (GnRH-a) and GnRH antagonist (GnRH-ant) against cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced gonadotoxicity in female rats.

METHODSThirty-six female SD rats were divided randomly into 6 groups to receive treatment with normal saline (NS), CTX, GnRH-a+NS, GnRH-a+CTX, GnRH-ant+NS, GnRH-ant+CTX, respectively. The rats were sacrificed between the first and second week after termination of the medication to compare the weight of the ovaries, the number of the primordial follicles and the follicle growth. The expressions of bcl-2 and bax mRNA in the ovaries were examined using RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe number of the primordial follicles was significantly greater and that of the growing follicles significantly lower in GnRH-a+NS and GnRH-a+CTX groups than in the GnRH-ant+CTX and CTX groups (P<0.05). The rats in GnRH-a+NS and GnRH-a+CTX groups had the lowest ovarian weight among 6 the groups (P<0.05). The bcl-2 mRNA level in the GnRH-ant+NS group was significantly higher than that in the other groups (P<0.05). The Bax mRNA in the GnRH-a+NS and GnRH-a+CTX groups was significantly higher than that in the NS group (P<0.05), but close to that in the CTX group (P>0.05); bax mRNA expression in the GnRH-ant+NS group was significantly lower than that in the NS group (P<0.05), but in GnRH-ant+CTX group, its expression was close to that in the NS group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn female rats exposed to CTX, the GnRH analogs provides ovarian protection against CTX-induced gonadotoxicity by regulating the expression of the Bax mRNA in the ovary. GnRH-a may decrease the sensitivity of the follicles to CTX-induced gonadotoxicity by promoting follicle apoptosis and inhibiting follicle proliferation, and GnRH-ant increases the sensitivity to the CTX through a reverse effect on the follicles.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cyclophosphamide ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; agonists ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Ovary ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

Human Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen(PSMA) cDNA was amplified using total RNA extracted from prostate carcinoma tissue by RT-PCR. The cDNA fragment of extracellular domain of PSMA(edPSMA) gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into expression vector pMAL-c2x. Sequence analysis of both PSMA and edPSMA revealed identity to the GenBank reported. The edPSMA was expressed in E. coli as part of a fusion protein with MBP as the induction of IPTG. Western blot analysis showed the recombinant protein could react with PSMA monocloned antibodies 4G5. MBP-edPSMA fusion protein were purified by amylose resin affinity chromatography and showed to be homogeneity in SDS-PAGE(120 kD). BALB/C mice were immunized with the purified protein for the preparation of polyclonal antibody. The polyclonal antibody, which had a title of 1:12,800, were indicated the specificity to prostate tissue.
Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; Antibody Formation ; Antigens, Surface ; Carboxypeptidases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, Affinity ; methods ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; genetics ; physiology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prognostic factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with different metastatic status, and to improve the NPC management by multi-level refinement and stratification of M1 stage distant metastases.

METHODSClinicopathological data of 1016 NPC patients with distant metastases were retrospectively reviewed. The M1 stage distant metastases were subdivided into synchronous or metachronous metastases, metastatic sites (lung, bone, liver), number of metastatic organs (solitary, multiple) and number of metastases (solitary, multiple) subgroups to analyze the prognosis and survival of the patients.

RESULTSThe most frequently involved metastatic sites were bone (542, 53.3%), lung (420, 41.3%) and liver (302, 29.7%). There were solitary metastatic lesions in 164 patients (16.2%), synchronous metastases in 376 cases and metachronous metastases in 640 cases. The median overall survival of the whole group of 1016 NPC patients was 30.8 months since the time of diagnosis of metastasis. For the 376 patients in the synchronous metastasis group, the median survival was 23.3 months and the 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 74.2%, 27.6% and 18.5%, respectively. For the 640 patients in the metachronous metastases group, the median survival was 36.7 months, and the 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 88.1%, 49.6% and 28.6%, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (all P < 0.001). Cox multivariate analysis indicated that the number of metastatic lesions, different metastatic sites and N stage at initial diagnosis were independent prognostic factors for patients with metachronous metastases (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA theory of detailed multi-level metastasis (M1) stratification aiming at different distant metastasis status for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is proposed. To take appropriate individualized treatment scheme according to the prognosis and expected survival should be helpful to improving the diagnosis and treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; secondary ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Time Factors ; Young Adult