Objective To investigate the levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and relationships with c1inicopatho1ogica1 characteristics and their clinical significance. Methods The concentrations of serum VEGF and bFGF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in 40 patients with NSCLC before and after chemotherapy. Results The level of serum VEGF in patients with Ⅳ stage NSCLC was significantly higher than that of Ⅲ stage(P

BACKGROUND:Diffusion tensor imaging aad fiber tractography(DT-FT)is the only method to identify cerebral white matter fiber organization in vivo.OBJECTIVE:To observe the changes in brain areas with language function and the fiber stucture in patients with Broca aphasia.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:Comparative observation was performed at First Hospital of Kunming Medical College and Tiantan Hospital of Capital Medical University between November 2003 and February 2005.PARTICIPANTS:Thirty patients(9 females,21 males,aged 17-63 years)with Broca aphasia of different degree were selected.They were diagnosed by a set of Chinese aphasia examinations of Research Laboratory of Neuropsychology,First Hospital of Beijing Medical University,following by further classification according to the subitems.METHODS:3T super-high field magnetic resonance scanner was used for the data collection and processing of the entire brain.Brodmann areas 45,44,areas 22 and 39(Wernicke area),and the corresponding brain areas in the right hemisphere are selected as areas with language function.The primary commissure,commissural fibers(arcuate fasciculus,internal capsule,external capsule)that are closely correlated with language function were regarded as region of interest of fiber tracking.The neural fiber tracking was conducted.MAIN OUTCOME MEASUIURES:The tracking and distribution of neural fiber tracts,and its correlation with other brain areas,and changes under pathological conditions.All data were compared with normal brain.RESULTS:Thirty patients with Broca aphasia were included in final analysis.The mean fractional anisotropy of fiber tracts in left Brodmann areas 45 and 44 was significantly lower than that in normal Brodmann areas(t=-2.683 65,-5.300 55,P＜0.05).The inferior fiber tracts in Broca area showed interruption or displacement,loosely connected even separate from the frontal arcuate fasciculus.The fibers of precentral gyrus and medial frontal lobe were decreased.The separation of arcuate fasciculus from Broca area caused by the integrity disruption and displacement of fiber tracts of arcuate fasciculus was the main alteration of arcuate fasciculus in Broca aphasia.The number of fiber tracts of left arcuate fasciculus and the mean fractional anisotropy in Broca aphasia were significantly less than normal people(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:The lesions of cerebral cortex and its fiber pathway in Broca area can result in Broca aphasia.

Objective This study aimed to explore the potential targets of Yishenqingli Formula in treating idiopathic membranous nephropathy(IMN)using a combination of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)analysis and network pharmacology.Methods The active ingredients of the Yishen Qingli Formula were identified through the BATMAN-TCM database and LC-MS qualitative analysis.The biological processes and mechanism pathways of the Yishen Qingli Formula in treating IMN were predicted using network pharmacology,and molecular docking and in vitro,experiments were conducted to verify the selected core targets.The core targets were selected and validated through molecular docking and in vitro experiments.Results A total of 15 active ingredients were selected from the Yishen Qingli Formula,and 72 core genes were obtained by intersecting its target with the IMN disease target.GO enrichment analysis results showed that the regulation of apoptosis signaling pathway,white cell migration,peptide tyrosine phosphorylation,and so on were involved;The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the treatment of IMN with Yishen Qingli Formula involves apoptosis-related signaling pathways such as TNF,PI3K/AKT,MAPK,etc.In vitro,experiments have shown that Yishen Qingli Formula can reduce podocyte apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway.Conclusion Yishen Qingli Formula is a treatment for idiopathic membranous nephropathy through multiple targets and pathways.It has an anti-apoptotic effect on the C5b-9 induced podocyte sub-lysis model,and its mechanism of action may be related to the TNF,PI3K/AKT,MAPK signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVETo prepare cryptotanshinone (CT)-cyclodextrin inclusion compound and improve dissolution of CT.

METHODInclusion ratio was determined by plotting the phase solubility curve of CT versus hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPCD). CT-cyclodextrin inclusion compound was made by wet grinding method. Properties of the inclusion compound was investigated by in vitro dissolution test, DTA and IR spectrum.

RESULTInclusion ratio of CT versus HPCD was 1:1. Dissolution of CT-HPCD inclusion compound at 45 min was 21.6 times of material drug.

CONCLUSIONDissolution of CT was improved remarkably in CT-HPCD inclusion compound. The complexation force of the inclusion compound was hydrogen bond formed by carbonyl group of CT and hydroxyl group of HPCD.

2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin ; Biological Availability ; Drug Carriers ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Phenanthrenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Time Factors ; beta-Cyclodextrins ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the reliability and superiority of micro-CT in marginal leakage assessment of Class V restorations.

METHODSClass V preparations with gingival margins in dentin and occlusal in enamel were made in sixteen extracted non-carious human molars and restored with dental bonding agents and composite resin. All teeth were then immersed in 50% ammonia-silver nitrate solution for 12 hours, followed by developing solution for 8 hours. Each restoration was scanned by a micro-CT and silver leakage was measured and three-dimensional image of the silver leakage alone cavity wall were reconstructed. Afterward, all restorations were sectioned and examined for leakage depth using a microscope. The silver leakage depth of each restoration obtained by micro-CT and microscope were compared for equivalency.

RESULTSThe silver leakage depths in gingival wall obtained with micro-CT (0.78 mm) and microscope (0.74 mm) showed no significant difference (P > 0.05), while the judgment of leakage depths in occlusal wall in micro-CT image (0.40 mm) was affected by adjacent enamel structure, giving less leakage depths compared to microscope (0.72 mm)(P < 0.01). The three-dimensional shapes of the microleakages displayed clearly by micro-CT alone wall of Class V restorations were multiform and some leakages showed channels on their way to spreading.

CONCLUSIONSMicro-CT can detect precisely the silver leakage in the dentin wall of a restoration and display its three-dimensional shape fully. Enamel structure affects the detection of the silver leakage next to it.

Dental Cavity Preparation ; Dental Enamel ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Dental Leakage ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Dental Restoration, Permanent ; methods ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Microscopy ; Molar, Third ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; X-Ray Microtomography ; methods

Adult ; Aged ; Hemospermia ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Punctures ; Rectum ; diagnostic imaging ; Seminal Vesicles ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and surgical effects of thyroid-stimulating hormone pituitary adenomas (TSH-omas).

METHODSThe clinical data of 19 patients (14 female and 5 male) with TSH-omas were analyzed retrospectively in this study from January 2001 to December 2008. The patients ranged from 20 to 70 years old (average 40.5 years old) and had disease histories from 1 to 228 months (average 55 months). Among these patients, 15 of them complained of thyrotoxicosis symptoms, while the other 4 patients' symptoms were associated with headache and/or visual disturbance caused by the tumor mass effect. Initially, 12 of the 15 patients with thyrotoxicosis symptoms were misdiagnosed with Grave's disease. As a result 2 of them received (131) Iodine, and one received subtotal thyroidectomy. All of these patients underwent transsphenoidal microsurgery.

RESULTSAverage follow-up period was 3.6 years (6 months-7 years). Pathological analysis of the surgical specimen showed pituitary adenoma in all patients, immunohistochemistry were positive for TSH in 17 cases, negative for TSH in 2, positive for growth hormone in 2, positive for prolactin in 1, and positive for adrenocorticotrophic hormone in 1. Postoperative MRI revealed that the tumors in 15 patients were removed totally, though 4 patients still had residual tumors. The thyroid hormone level tests suggested that 13 patients could be considered normal 3 months after their tumors were removed, though 2 of patients with normal postoperative MRI and thyroid hormones showed increased levels of TSH. For these 2 patients, tumors did not recur and their thyroid hormone levels returned to normal after pituitary radiotherapy. The cure rate was 11/19 after surgery and 13/19 after surgery plus pituitary radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSThe screening test for hyperthyroidism patients with high TSH levels is a key point to improve the accuracy rate in early diagnoses of TSH-omas. The transsphenoidal microsurgery is first choice to treat TSH-omas, while pituitary radiotherapy and somatostatin analogs are beneficially adjunctive therapies.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyrotropin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy, median time to progression (TTP), quality of life and toxicity in the patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), treated with thalidomide plus vinorelbine and cisplatin (NP) or NP alone.

METHODSSixty six patients with advanced NSCLC were divided randomly into two groups, the trial and control groups. The trial group was treated with vinorelbine 25 approximately 30 mg/m(2) i.v. on D1 and D8, cisplatin 70 approximately 80 mg/m(2) i.v. on D1 (NP regimen), and thalidomide 200 mg orally and daily from D1. The control group received vinorelbine and cisplatin as above described.

RESULTSOf 66 assessable patients, the overall response rate was 51.5% in the trial group and 36.4% in the control group (P = 0.22). The median TTP was 6.0 months for the trial group, and 3.6 months for the control group (P < 0.001). The score of quality of life in trial group was higher than that in the control group, but no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in toxicities between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNP regimen combined with thalidomide can significantly prolong the median time to tumor progression in patients with advanced NSCLC. Thalidomide may have a synergic activity with NP regimen without increased toxicities.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Disease Progression ; Drug Synergism ; Feeding and Eating Disorders ; chemically induced ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Quality of Life ; Remission Induction ; Thalidomide ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Thrombocytopenia ; chemically induced ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Vomiting ; chemically induced

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the cost-benefit for the Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Influenzae H1N1) vaccination in Shanghai primary and junior schools.

METHODSA semi-experiment study was selected to evaluate the cost-benefit for Influenza H1N1 vaccination in primary and junior schools in 6 districts of Shanghai, including 414 636 students in total. According to the voluntary principle, the students were divided into the vaccinated group (233 445 students) and control group (181 191 students). The information of vaccine cost was collected from CDC in 19 districts in Shanghai by questionnaire; and the information of medical treatment cost was collected from questionnaire and abstracts of retrospective medical records, which included 31 mild cases and 15 severe cases. The cost-benefit analysis was conducted by health economic evaluation.

RESULTSIn total, there were 414 636 students enrolled in this study; while 233 445 (56.3%) students were in the vaccinated group and 181 191 in the control group. The attack rate in vaccinated group and control group was 0.61% (1433/233 445) and 1.76% (3166/181 191) respectively. The protection ratio was 65.34% ((1.76 - 0.61)/1.76) in the vaccinated group. The average cost of Influenza H1N1 was 36.81 yuan/person; and the average cost of medical treatment was (358.3 ± 243.6) yuan/mild case and (49 188.4 ± 99 917.3) yuan/severe case. The total benefit of vaccination in schools was 19 155 566.3 yuan, and the net benefit was 10 560 673.7 yuan. Therefore, the benefit-cost ratio was 2.24:1.

CONCLUSIONInfluenza H1N1 vaccine could protect the students from Influenza H1N1 infection, and the cost-benefit analysis showed that the intervention strategy was worth trying.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; immunology ; Influenza Vaccines ; economics ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; economics ; prevention & control ; Schools ; Students

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin D1 ; biosynthesis ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; NF-kappa B ; biosynthesis ; Trans-Activators ; biosynthesis