OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect and toxicity of chemotherapy, used alone or in combined with Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI), for the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma (ACRC).

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-two patients with ACRC were equally randomized by digital table, to the treated group, treated by chemotherapy of FOLFOX regimen combined with SFI, and the control group treated by FOLFOX regimen alone. The therapeutic effect and adverse reaction of the treatment in patients were assessed.

RESULTSThe effective rate (CR +PR) was 63.2% (48/76) in the treated group and 46.1% (35/76) in the control group, showing significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The median survival time in the two groups was 31 weeks and 28 weeks respectively. CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly increased in the treated group (1.56 +/- 0.21, 1.64 +/- 0.28, P < 0.05), but significantly decreased in the control group (1.58 +/- 0.22, 1.46 +/- 0.33, P < 0.01). Quality of life in the former group was higher than that in the latter group (P < 0.05). Times/case of nausea, vomiting, leukopenia occurring in the control group was more than those in the treated group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBy combining with SFI, some adverse reactions of chemotherapy (such as nausea, vomiting, leukopenia) and its influence on patients' immunity could be alleviated in treating ACRC, which might enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy, and improve the quality of life and prolong the median survival time in patients.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fluorouracil ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; therapeutic use ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Quality of Life ; Survival Rate

Sargentodoxae Caulis was prepared from the stems of Sargentodoxa cuneata. Twenty compounds from the the stems of S. cuneata collected in Huangshan Mountain, Anhui province, were isolated and purified by column chromatography on macroporous resin (HPD100), silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physico-chemical properties and spectral data analyses as (7R,8S)-3,3 '-5-trimethoxy-4,9-dihydroxy-4',7-expoxy-5',8-lignan-7'-en-9'-oic acid 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(1), 1-O-(vanillic acid) -6-O-vanilloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside(2), 4-hydroxyphenylethyl-6-O-coumaroyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside(3), citrusin B(4), cinnamoside(5), (-) -isolariciresinol 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), (-) -isolariciresinol 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), 1-O-(vanillic acid) -6-(3", 5"-dimethoxy-galloyl) -beta-D-glucopyranoside (8), 4-hydroxyphenyl-ethyl-6-O-(E) -caffeoyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), (-)-syringaresinol 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (10), (-)-syringaresinol di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), aegineoside (12), calceolarioside B (13), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-acetophenone-4-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (14), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-acetophenone-4-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 --> 6) -beta-D-glucopyranoside (15), (-) -epicatechin (16), salidroside (17), 3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl ethyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (18), chlorogenic acid (19) and protocatechuic acid (20). Compound 1 was a new compound and compounds 2-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Lignans ; isolation & purification ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Ranunculaceae ; chemistry

Animals ; Breath Tests ; methods ; Carbon Isotopes ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Liver Function Tests ; methods ; Male ; Phenylalanine ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of nimotuzumab combined with palitaxel liposome and carboplatin (LP) regimen for treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to observe the changes of tumor markers and toxicities in the treatment. METHODS Forty-one patients with advanced NSCLC were randomly divided into 2 groups: 21 patients in the observation group were treated with nimotuzumab (200 mg per week for 6 weeks), palitaxel liposome 160 mg/m2 and carboplatin (AUC = 6). 20 patients in the control group were given LP regimen. Each group completed two cycles of chemotherapy. The level of tumor markers (CEA, CYFR21-1 and NSE) and toxicities were checked at one week before and after the treatment. Thoracic CT examinations were taken before treatment and at the fourth week and eighth week after treatment.

RESULTSIn the observation group, there were 2 cases of CR, 7 cases of PR, 9 cases of SD and 3 cases of PD. The objective response rate (RR) was 42. 9% in the observation group. In the control group, there were 1 case of CR, 6 cases of PR, 8 cases of SD and 5 cases of PD, with a RR of 35.0% in this group. There was no significant difference in the RR between the two groups (P = 0.751). The time to progression (TIP) was 6. 9 months in the observation group and 5. 7 months in the control group, with a significant difference (P = 0.027). The levels of NSE decreased significantly in both groups and showed a significant difference (P = 0.039). The levels of CEA and CYFRA21 in both groups were decreased after treatment, but did not show a significant difference before and after treatment, respectively. Except 3 cases had I-II skin toxicities on the faces in the observation group, there was no significant difference in toxicities between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONNimotuzmab combined with LP regimen shows a synergistic effect, can increase the efficacy and prolong TFP in advanced NSCLC patients. The toxicities are mild and tolerable.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carboplatin ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Exanthema ; chemically induced ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Liposomes ; administration & dosage ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; Remission Induction

OBJECTIVETo detect changes of serum soluble Apo-1/Fas (sApo-1/Fas) in pancreatic cancer patients and to investigate its clinical value in assessing the effect of chemotherapy.

METHODSThe serum level of sApo-1/Fas in 30 normal control subjects and 58 pancreatic cancer patients were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the sApo-1/Fas level of 48 pancreatic cancer patients, before and after chemotherapy was compared.

RESULTSCompared with the level of the control group, the level of serum soluble Apo-1/Fas was significantly correlated with clinical stage but not with age, sex or pathologic type of pancreatic cancer. It was elevated gradually from stage II to IV (P < 0.01). However, it would obviously decrease in pancreatic cancer patients after chemotherapy (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe serum soluble Apo-1/Fas may be involved in the development of pancreatic cancer, and it may be used as one parameter to assess the disease status and prognosis of pancreatic cancer patient.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; blood ; drug therapy ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; blood ; drug therapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; blood ; drug therapy ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction ; fas Receptor ; blood

The contents of 2011 Tokyo Declaration on Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion (Declaration for short) and its effect on development situation, current status, features, opportunities and challenges of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion are introduced, some proposals brought up in the Declaration are analyzed as well. The Declaration summarizes six characteristics of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, including paying great attention to palpation techniques such as pulse and abdominal diagnosis, always selecting response point in the meridian during acupuncture treatment, etc. Also six proposals have been brought up to promote the development of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, such as being devoted to spread the latest knowledge of acupuncture and moxibustion to medical professionals and the public in order to get correct understanding and proper evaluation, etc. What's more, the Declaration makes a prospection of improving international academic exchange and promoting the globalization of acupuncture and moxibustion and so on. The Declaration is served as a link between past and future in the history and developing process of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion, which has a great meaning to the development of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion. We should have a clear understanding of weakness and strength in the development of acupuncture and moxibustion, seize the opportunity and develop science of acupuncture and moxibustion with our own characteristics, which makes more contribution to development of international acupuncture and moxibustion.
Acupuncture Therapy ; trends ; Humans ; Japan ; Moxibustion ; trends ; Tokyo

OBJECTIVETo establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration by puncturing the anulus fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and obliquus externus abdominis.

METHODSThe L(4/5) and L(5/6) intervetebral discs of 6 New Zealand white rabbits were punctured by an 18-gauge pin in the anterolateral annular fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and the obliquus externus abdominis with the right transverse processes of L(5) and L(6) resected; the L(2/3) discs were used as the control without exposure or needle stab, and the L(3/4) discs were subjected to sham operation with the discs exposed but not punctured after resecting the right transverse process of L(4). X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed preoperatively and at the 4th week after puncture. At 4 weeks after the operation, histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the discs were carried out.

RESULTSX-ray of the punctured discs at 4 weeks after the operation presented a significant decrease of disc height, osteophytosis formation, and end-plate stiffness; an obvious decrease of signal intensity on T(2)-weighted images was found in the puncture group but not in the control or sham-operated groups. Gross morphological inspection showed atrophy of the nucleus pulposus, which became loose, soft, and fragile with a light yellow color. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses showed a significant decrease of notochordal cells and type II collagen in the nucleus pulposus in the puncture group as compared to the control and sham-operated groups.

CONCLUSIONPuncture through the approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and the obliquus externus abdominis allows the establishment of a reliable animal model for studying intervertebral disc degeneration.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rabbits

BACKGROUNDReal-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) has made revolutionized improvements of cardiac imaging during the past few years. However, there is no standard examination method for RT-3DE so far. This study aimed to establish the diagnostic method of RT-3DE and evaluate its application in the diagnosis of complex congenital heart diseases (CHD).

METHODSFifty patients with complex CHD were examined by RT-3DE with modes of Live 3DE and Full Volume. A series of novel volumetric views combined with Van Praagh sequential segmental approach were introduced to reveal the pathological morphology of the hearts, which were compared with the findings of two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), angiography and cardiac surgery.

RESULTSIn 50 patients, 190 image acquisitions of Full Volume were performed at several acoustic windows including subcostal, apical and parasternal regions. Among them, 94.2% (179/190) of image acquisitions were successful. Most sectional volumetric views could be clearly displayed in 92.6% of the successful image acquisitions. However, sectional volumetric views could not be clearly displayed in 7.4%, which was mainly due to poor perspective conditions of examination location, improper instrument multi-parameter setting and insufficient information of whole heart captured in Full Volume acquisitions. As compared with surgical findings and angiography, RT-3DE made correction to the diagnoses in 2 cases including 1 with corrected transposition of the great arteries and the other with single atrium and mitral cleft. The diagnoses initially made by 2DE for these 2 patients were double outlet right ventricle with transposition of the great arteries and complete atrio-ventricular septal defect.

CONCLUSIONSRT-3DE can clearly display the pathological morphology of complex CHD by a series of novel volumetric views combined with sequential segmental approach through providing more spatial informative cardiovascular structures, which provides a practical method for RT-3DE diagnosis.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

Objective To characterize the biological characteristics of natural vectors of Yesinia (Y.) pestis in China.Methods Species and genera of natural vectors of Y.pestis in China and their faunal distribution were characterized with modem insect taxonomic techniques.The ecological roles of natural vectors of Y.pestis in natural plague foci were determined according to insect ecological experiments.Results There were 63 species of natural vectors of Y.pestis including 28 major reservoirs and 35 secondary ones.Conclusion The biology characteristics of major vectors on Y.pestis and their roles in natural plague foci were defined.

A fusion gene CTB-PROIN, in which Proinsulin gene was fused to the 3' end of CTB gene by a hinge peptide 'GPGP', was constructed and cloned into pET-30a(+) to obtain a prokaryotic expression vector pETCPI. Subsequently the recombinant plasmid pETCPI was transformed into E. coli stain BL21 (DE3). After induced by IPTG, the expression product was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel (15%) electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and its result indicated that the recombinant protein CTB-PROIN was expressed and accumulated as inclusion bodies. The recombinant CTB-PROIN protein accumulated to the level of 25% of total bacterial proteins. After inclusion bodies was denaturalized and refolded in vitro, significant assembly of monomers had occurred, and the recombinant protein represented assembled pentamers. The results of western blotting analysis also demonstrated that the fusion protein could be recognized by the anti-CT and anti-insulin antibody, respectively. In addition, the result of the CTB-PROIN-GM1 binding assay, that the protein could bind to monosialoganglioside specifically, showed it possesed biological activity in vitro. These results provided the possibility of developing a cheaper and more efficient oral vaccine for type I diabetes using such constructs.
Artificial Gene Fusion ; Cholera Toxin ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; G(M1) Ganglioside ; metabolism ; Proinsulin ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics