OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Qingfei Huatan Quyu method (QHQ, a Chinese medicinal therapy for clearing Fei-heat and dissolving phlegm-stasis) combined with hormone-antibiotic therapy (HAT) on radiation pneumonia (RP).

METHODSEighty-one patients with RP were randomized into two groups, 41 patients in the control group and 40 in the treatment group were treated with HAT alone and HAT combined with QHQ respectively for 21 days. The severity of RP was evaluated before and after treatment according to the criteria of the radiation therapy oncology group. The effect on TCM symptoms and chest roentgenogram, as well as on plasma levels of interleukin-6 ( IL-6) and transform growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) were detected.

RESULTSAfter treatment, number of patients with RP graded as 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the treatment group was 23, 10, 4, 2, and 1, respectively, while in the control group, 14, 9, 11, 4, and 3, respectively. The combined therapy showed effects in improving RP grading (P <0.01) and TCM syndromes were superior to those of HAT respectively (P < 0.05). Besides, levels of IL-6 and TGF-beta were lowered after treatment in the treatment group, showing a significant difference to those in the control group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONQHQ combined with HAT has a definite therapeutic effect on RP. It could efficiently decrease the plasma levels of IL-6 and TGF-beta in patients with RP.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; drug therapy ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood

AIM:To investigate the value of 3D-optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the diagnosis of macular disease before phacoemulsification.METHODS:Clinical records of 423 cataract patients (512 eyes) who underwent phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation in our hospital from June to December in 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.In addition to preoperative routine examination of fundus, Topcon 3D-OCT 2000 was used to examine the macula, the detection rate of macular disease was compared, risk factors of cataract combined with macular disease were analyzed.RESULTS:The OCT image results of 305 cases (384 eyes, 72.1%) were successfully obtained, 133 cases showed macular disease (146 eyes), the detection rate was 28.5% (95%CI:27.64%-29.40%);the macular disease of 35 cases (37 eyes) were detected by routine examination of fundus before operation, the detection rate was 7.2% (95%CI:6.72%-7.74%);the detection rate of 3D-OCT was significantly higher than routine examination of fundus for macular disease (χ2=79.05, P<0.01).Female, over 65 years old, surgical history of diseased eye, and high myopia were risk factors of cataract combined with macular disease, the relative risk was 1.705 (95%CI:1.091,2.664), 1.893 (95%CI:1.219,2.939), 6.593 (95%CI:2.027,21.447) and 95%CI:5.130 (2.841,9.263) respectively, the risk of cataract combined with macular disease showed an increasing trend with rising age.CONCLUSION:In preoperative examination of cataract patients, 3D-OCT has higher sensitivity in the detection of macular disease, especially for women, over 65 years old, high myopia and surgical history of diseased eye, 3D-OCT can be used as a routine preoperative examination.

Objective To study the relationships between single nuchotide polymorphisms (SNP) of gene rash homebox-1(MSX-1)(rs3821949,rs12532)and sporadic tooth agenesis by filtering the susceptibility genes in a Jiangsu province population.Methods DNA samples were extracted from 198 patients with sporadic tooth agenesis and 207 control subjects.Two MSX-1 gene polymorphisms were genotypod using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay.The association between the genetic polymorphism and risk of sporadic tooth agenesis wag estimated by χ2 and logistic regression.The Phase wag used to determine the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and haplotype association.Results In the population,the allele frequency and genotype rates of the SNP rs3821949 were significant different between the patients with sporadic tooth agenesis and normal controls:the A allele frequency in the patients (43.2%) was significantly higher than that in the normal controls (31.4%,P=0.008),and the AA genotype rate ofthe patients (14.7%) was significantly higher than that of the controls (12.6%,P=0.030).However,There were no significant diffeFences in the allele frequency and genotype rates of the SNP rs12532 between the patients with sporadic tooth agenesis and normal control s.Similar results were obtained between the mandibular ineisor agenesis cases and controls.The haplotype frequencies of GA(27.9%)were significantly lower in non.mandibular incisor agenesis cases group than that in the control group(37.0%,P=0.03,OR=0.51).Conclusions The results show that SNP rs3821949,which is located at 5'near region of the MSX-1 gene,is likely to have an influence on the transcriptional activity of this gene and be associated with sporadic tooth agenesis.The haplotypes constructed with these 2 SNP sites may be linked with the susceptibility gene of non-mandibular incisor agenesis.

Objective To summarize regularities in acupoint prescriptions for acupuncture treatment of stroke disorders by using data mining techniques to analyze 150 ancient acupuncture books from the Han dynasty to the end of Qing dynasty. Method A standard database and a ancient book database were established by a manual entry and proofreading method. The sentences containing stroke disorders, acupoints, meridians and needling moxibustion method in the ancient books were selected according to the key words in the standard database using a variety of data mining techniques and a regular relation to establish corresponding disease, acupoint, needling moxibustion method and meridian databases. They were classified into two types: prescriptions for stroke disorders and acupoint indications containing stroke disorders. The results from selection were reviewed manually and standardized. A multilevel analysis of regularities in acupuncture prescriptions for stroke disorders in the ancient books was performed by statistical analysis and apriori algorithm on association rules with support degree and confidence level. Result There were a total of 536 records on acupuncture point prescription for stroke disorders. Single acupoint prescriptions accounted for 34.89% of the total number of prescriptions. The single acupoint that was used most frequently was Baihui(GV20). Thedouble acupoints that were combined most frequently were Quchi(LI11) and Baihui. In three acupoint combination, Quchi and Fengshi(GB31) were separately combined most frequently with Baihui, Jianyu(LI15) and Xuanzhong(GB39). The three meridians that were used most frequently were the Du Meridian, the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand-Yangming and the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang. The two meridians that were combined most frequently were the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang and the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming. Crossing points and Five-Shu points were selected most frequently in specific points. He-Sea points were used most frequently in Five-Shu points. Conclusion The prescriptions for stroke disorders in ancient acupuncture books focus on selecting the confluence of all yang meridians and yang meridian points. Specific points are the important composition of the prescriptions. Crossing points and He-Sea points are mainly used in specific points.

Design space approach is applied in this study to enhance the robustness of first ethanol precipitation process of Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen) by optimizing parameters. Total flavonoid recovery, dry matter removal, and pigment removal were defined as the process critical quality attributes (CQAs). Plackett-Burman designed experiments were carried out to find the critical process parameters (CPPs). Dry matter content of concentrated extract (DMCE), mass ratio of ethanol to concentrated extract (E/C ratio) and concentration of ethanol (CEA) were identified as the CPPs. Box-Behnken designed experiments were performed to establish the quantitative models between CPPs and CQAs. Probability based design space was obtained and verified using Monte-Carlo simulation method. According to the verification results, the robustness of first ethanol precipitation process of Dangshen can be guaranteed by operating within the design space parameters. Recommended normal operation space are as follows: dry matter content of concentrated extract of 45.0% - 48.0%, E/C ratio of 2.48-2.80 g x g(-1), and the concentration of ethanol of 92.0% - 92.7%.
Chemical Precipitation ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of video-thoracoscopy in the thoracoscopic mobilization of the thoracic esophagus combined with radical lymphadenectomy.

METHODSBetween March 2002 and May 2003, thoracoscopic mobilization of the thoracic esophagus combined with radical lymphadenectomy was attempted in 25 patients (test group) and 22 cases received routine open thoracotomy (control group). Mean age was 55 years (range 34 - 73). The cancers were T(1)-T(3). Dissection of the thoracic esophagus was attempted via a right-sided approach, followed by a laparotomy and a cervical incision.

RESULTSThe thoracoscopic procedure was successful in all patients. There was no post-operative death in two groups. Mean node harvest was (7.8 +/- 1.7) nodes for test group and (7.5 +/- 1.3) nodes for control group (P > 0.05). Mean blood lo of the thoracic component was (130 +/- 83) ml for test group and (350 +/- 135) ml for control group (t = 6.83, P < 0.05). Median post-operative stay was (10.9 +/- 2.5) days for test group and (14.6 +/- 1.7) days for control group (t = 5.87, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVideo-thoracoscopy could potentially provide an oncologically sound means for resecting the thoracic esophagus without the need for a thoracotomy. Radical thoracoscopic mobilization of the esophagus is feasible.

Adult ; Aged ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thoracotomy ; Treatment Outcome

ITS2 sequence was used as a barcode to identify herbal tea ingredient Plumeria rubra and its adulterants. Genomic DNAs from forty eight samples were extracted, the ITS2 sequences were amplified and sequenced bi-direstionlly, and then assembled and obtained using CodonCode Aligner. The sequences were aligned using ClustalW, the genetic distances were computed by kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model and the Neighbor-joining (NJ) phylogenetic trees were constructed using MEGA5.0. Results showed that the length of ITS2 sequence of P. rubra were 244 bp. The intra-specific genetic distances (0-0. 016 6) were much smaller than inter-specific ones between P. rubra and its adulterants(0.320 8-0.650 4). The NJ tree indicated that P. rubra and its adulterants could be distinguished clearly. Therefore, Using ITS2 barcode can accurately andeffectively distinguish herbal tea ingredient P. rubra from its adulterants, which providesa new molecular method to identify P. rubra and ensure its safety in use.
Apocynaceae ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Flowers ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo explore and evaluate the feasibility, safety, radicality and the short-term outcome of minimally invasive esophagectomy versus open esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to October 2009, 67 patients with esophageal cancer received minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE group), while 38 patients underwent conventional open esophagectomy (OE group: via right thorax, abdomen, left neck). The operative procedures, clinicopathological data and short-term outcome were collected and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe clinical data of the two groups were comparable. No significant differences was found in demographics between the two groups. Median blood loss in MIE group was less than that in OE group (chest: 112.3 ml vs. 175.3 ml, P = 0.035, abdominal: 31.4 ml vs. 100.5 ml, P = 0.026). More patients in OE group were transferred to ICU (P = 0.042) and more obvious pain (P = 0.005). The rate of pulmonary infection and intestinal obstruction in OE group were higher than MIE group (P = 0.046 and 0.045). There were no differences in the number of lymph node dissection for two groups, the average was 20.9 and lymph node metastasis rate was 26.9% in MIE group. Mean follow up was (14.0 ± 2.2) months (range, 2 to 29 months). Recurrence rate and survival rate were no differences.

CONCLUSIONThe Minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is feasible, safe, and reliable short-term effect, and can achieve radical tumor resection, which may lead to better future of surgical treatment for esophageal carcinoma.

Aged ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracoscopy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEThe reporting of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) instrument development is vital for both researchers and clinicians to determine its validity, thus, we propose the Preferred Reporting Items for PRO Instrument Development (PRIPROID) to improve the quality of reports.

METHODSAbiding by the guidance published by the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) Network, we had performed 6 steps for items development: identified the need for a guideline, performed a literature review, obtained funding for the guideline initiative, identified participants, conducted a Delphi exercise and generated a list of PRIPROID items for consideration at the face-to-face meeting.

RESULTSTwenty three items subheadings under 7 topics were included: title and structured abstract, rationale, objectives, intention, eligibility criteria, conceptual framework, items generation, response options, scoring, times, administrative modes, burden assessment, properties assessment, statistical methods, participants, main results, and additional analysis, summary of evidence, limitations, clinical attentions, and conclusions, item pools or final form, and funding.

CONCLUSIONSThe PRIPROID contains many elements of the PRO research, and this assists researchers to report their results more accurately and to a certain degree use this instrument to evaluate the quality of the research methods.

Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Research Report ; Research Support as Topic ; Treatment Outcome

Aim To investigate the antidepressive-like effect of ethyl alcohol extract of Polyrhachis vicina Rog-er(EAPR),and its mechanism.Methods EAPR was prepared by ethanol extraction.Its anti-depressive effect was investigated by tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST).Furthermore,repeated doses of reserpine was used for preparing the depres-sive rats.Results EAPR has definitely anti-depres-sive effect,as evidenced by the decreased immobility time in FST and TST at the doses of 8 and 4 g·kg -1 (P <0.05).In the repeated reserpine evoked depres-sive rats,EAPR antagonized the symptoms induced by monoamines depletion and attenuated the anhedonia, as manifested by reversed hypothermia,akinesia and sucrose consumption at the doses of 8 and 2 g·kg -1 (P <0.05,P <0.01).Neuro-chemical studies showed that AFPR significantly increased the concentration of monoamines,including 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline(NA)at the dose of 8 g·kg -1 (P <0.05),and had no effect on normal rats .Furthermore, EAPR increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD)in serum,hippocampus and cerebral cortex at the dose of 8 g·kg -1 (P <0.05).Conclusion EA-PR possesses the definite antidep ressive properties, connected with the regulation of neurotransmitter me-tabolism and the nerve cells antioxidant effect.