Objective To develop a new type of lumbar puncture needle to facilitate to measure intracranial pressure,decrease the risks for intracranial infection and brain hernia.Methods The needle was composed of a body,no.1 and no.2 sleeves,a stylet,a needle base,a catheter,joints and etc.The needle had body and stylet made of stainless steel,the catheter manufactured with medical silicone tube,the joints produced by medical rubber and the remained components by medical plastics.Results The developed needle executed pressure measuring,cerebrospinal fluid collection and medication injection with no extracting the stylet.The outflow velocity of cerebrospinal fluid was limited,and the incidences of the complications were decreased including infection,brain hernia and etc.Conclusion The lumbar puncture needle has simple structure,easy operation and high safety,and thus is worthy promoting practically.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value and toxicities of docetaxel plus capecitabine in the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC),and compare the outcomes among different molecular subtypes.Methods A total of 108 patients with MBC who received docetaxel plus capecitabine combination treatment between January 1,2012 and December 31,2015 in Bejing Chaoyang District Sanhuan Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analyzed,and 104 cases were available for evaluation.The clinicopathological characteristics,clinical value and toxicities of these patients were evaluated.Results The patients were divided into 3 molecular subtypes,among 104 patients,85 patients in Luminal subtype,14 patients in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype,and 5 patients in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) over expression subtype.The treatment achieved objective responses (OR) in 55 patients (52.9％),and the disease control rate (DCR) was 88.5％,including complete response (CR) in 4 patients,partial response (PR) in 51 patients,stable disease (SD) in 37 patients,and progressive disease (PD) in 12 patients.In Luminal subtype,4 patients achieved CR,43 PR,33 SD,and 5 PD.In TNBC subtype,6 patients achieved PR,3 SD,5 PD.In the HER-2 over expression subtype,2 patients achieved PR,1 SD,2 PD.There was no significant difference in the short-term therapeutic effect among 3 molecular subtypes (x2 =4.429,P =0.106).As a result,the progression-free survival (PFS) of the 104 patients was 1.5-121.0 months,and the median PFS was 10.0 months.The median PFS was 11.0 months in Luminal subtype,4.0 months in TNBC subtype and 10.3 months in HER-2 over expression subtype,with a significant difference (x2 =7.510,P =0.006).The most common adverse events were hand-foot syndrome (HFS),nausea or vomiting,neutropenia,anaemia,diarrhea and so on.The incidence of grade 2/3 HFS was 44.2％ (46/104),and the grade 3/4 neutropenia was 39.4％ (41/104).Conclusion The first-line treatment of MBC using docetaxel plus capecitabine is effective,and the toxicities can be tolerable,especially in the Luminal subtype.

BACKGROUNDThe concept of minimally invasive techniques is to make every effort to reduce tissue damage. Certainly, reducing skin incision is an important part of these techniques. This study aimed to investigate the clinical feasibility of Mast Quadrant-assisted modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with a small single posterior median incision.

METHODSDuring the period of March 2011 to March 2012, 34 patients with single-segment degenerative lumbar disease underwent the minimally invasive modified TLIF assisted by Mast Quadrant with a small single posterior median incision (single incision group). The cases in this group were compared to 37 patients with single-segment degenerative lumbar disease in the double incision group. The perioperative conditions of patients in these two groups were statistically analyzed and compared. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, and sacrospinalis muscle damage evaluation indicators before operation and 3, 12 months postoperation were compared.

RESULTSA total of 31 and 35 cases in the single incision and double incision groups, respectively, completed at least 12 months of systemic follow-up. The differences in perioperative conditions between the two groups were not statistically significant. The incision length of the single incision group was significantly shorter than that of the double incision group (P < 0.01). The ODI and VAS scores of patients in both groups improved significantly at 3 and 12 months postoperation. However, these two indicators at 3 and 12 months postoperation and the sacrospinalis muscle damage evaluation indicators at 3 months postoperation did not differ significantly between the two groups (P ≥ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMast Quadrant-assisted modified TLIF with a small single posterior median incision has excellent clinical feasibility compared to minimally invasive TLIF with a double paramedian incision.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To preliminarily observe the clinical efficacy of microwave hyperthermia combined with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer.Methods:Forty patients who could not been operated or refused operation were enrolled in this clinical trial, who were confirmed as locally advanced proximal or distal gastric cancer by gastroscopy pathology and imaging. Radiotherapy was delivered by IMRT technology for 5 times per week with a total dose of 46 to 56 Gy (median dose of 50 Gy) in 25 to 28 fractions. Synchronous hyperthermia was given at 42 to 44℃ twice a week, 45 min/time. S-1 or capecitabine-based synchronous chemotherapy was performed, d1-14/3 weeks. The symptom remission rate, adverse reactions, objective remission rate (complete and partial remission) and survival were observed.Results:A total of 40 patients, aged between 56 and 83 years (median age of 71 years), were enrolled in this study. The male-to-female ratio was 7: 1. Among them, 38 cases (95%) showed symptom remission. The most common adverse reactions were grade 1-2 gastrointestinal reactions and leukopenia. The objective remission rate was 87.5%, the 2-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 68.6% and 70.5%, respectively.Conclusion:Preliminary findings demonstrate that microwave hyperthermia combined with chemoradiotherapy achieve satisfactory outcomes and yield tolerable toxicity in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer.

Objective:To analyze the iodine nutritional status of children aged 8 - 10 in Tongren City, Guizhou Province, and provide a basis for scientific iodine supplementation for children.Methods:From 2020 to 2022, a systematic sampling method was adopted in 10 districts and counties of Tongren City. Each year, each district and county was divided into 5 districts based on east, west, south, north, and center. One township (street) was selected from each district, and 40 non boarding students aged 8 to 10 were selected from each township (street) to measure the iodine content of household salt and urine samples. The content of salt iodine in children of different yesas as well as the distribution of urine iodine in children of different districts and counties and different genders were analyzed and compared. Additionally, B-ultrasound was used to measure the thyroid volume of some children and the situation of thyroid enlargement was analyzed.Results:From 2020 to 2022, a total of 6 000 salt samples were collected and monitored from children's households, and 5 989 samples of iodized salt were detected, the coverage rate of iodized salt was 99.8%; and 5 750 samples of qualified iodized salt were found, the qualified rate of iodized salt was 96.0%, the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 95.8%; and the median salt iodine was 27.3 mg/kg, the difference in the median salt iodine among children between different years was statistically significant ( H = 10.04, P < 0.001). A total of 6 000 urine samples from children were tested, the median urinary iodine was 225.2 μg/L, the median urinary iodine among children in different districts and counties were statistically significantly different ( H = 85.73, P < 0.001); 3 077 male and 2 923 female urine samples were tested, and the median urinary iodine between different genders was statistically significant different ( Z = - 67.10, P < 0.001). The median urinary iodine of male samples were higher than those of female samples(227.8 vs 222.9 μg/L). The thyroid gland of 2 000 children was examined, and the rate of goiter was 1.0% (21/2 000). Conclusions:From 2020 to 2022, the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt, urinary iodine content and goiter rate of children in Tongren City have all met the national standard for eliminating iodine deficiency disorders. The overall iodine nutrition level exceeds the appropriate amount (urinary iodine of 200 - 299 μg/L).

Objective:To determine the application effect of the "full chain" information-based health management model in the home care of children with bronchial asthma.Methods:Sixty children with bronchial asthma who were hospitalized in the Respiratory Department of Xuzhou Children's Hospital from January to June 2020 were selected and divided into a control group and an observation group according to a random number table with 30 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing care, and the observation group implemented a "full-chain" informatized health management on the basis of the control group.The intervention time was 6 months. The condition control, medication compliance, self-management and airway function were observed and compared between the two groups.Results:After 6 months of intervention, the frequency of attacks, emergency cases, the medication compliance, the maximum expiratory flow rate, symptom days and peak expiratory flow days were 6.67%(2/30), 3.33%(1/30), 93.33%(28/30), (1.83±0.23) L, (163.00±6.74) d, (168.00±3.78) d in the observation group, and 26.67%(8/30), 20.00%(6/30), 66.67%(20/30), (1.67±0.24) L, (144.00±5.88) d, (157.00±4.08) d in the control group. The differences were statistically significant (χ 2 values were 4.320, 4.043, 6.667, t values were 2.636, 11.635, 10.833, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the ratio of forced expiratory volume and forced expiratory volume in forced vital capacity in the first second after 6 months of intervention between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:"Full chain" information health management can reduce the number of attacks and emergency visits of children with asthma, effectively improve medication compliance, thus improving airway function and improving the quality of life of children.

Here we report the diagnosis and treatment of a rare IgG4-related kidney disease with nephrotic syndrome as the first manifestation. A 62-year-old male patient, presented with edema in both lower limbs and foam urine, had a history of "lung malignant tumor with brain and lymph node metastasis". The increase of IgG4 and decrease of glomerular filtration rate were detected at admission, and the pathological consideration of renal biopsy was membranous nephropathy with IgG4-related tubulointerstitial nephritis. After the combination of low-dose glucocorticoids therapy and rituximab treatment, the patient showed good prognosis in a 9 month follow-up.

Objective: To investigate the associations between the numbers of healthy lifestyles and overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity in adult twins in Shanghai. Methods: Based on the Shanghai Twin Registry System Phase Ⅱ survey data in 2017-2018, a case-control study was conducted to analyze the association between healthy lifestyles and obesity and further adjusted for confounders by a co-twin control study. Results: A total of 7 864 adult twins (3 932 pairs) were included. In the co-twin case-control analysis for monozygotic twins, compared with participants with 0 to 2 healthy lifestyles, those with 3 and 4 to 5 healthy lifestyles had a 49% (OR=0.51, 95%CI: 0.28-0.93) and 70% (OR=0.30, 95%CI: 0.13-0.69) lower risk of overweight/obesity, respectively, and a 17% (OR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.44-1.57) and 66% (OR=0.34, 95%CI: 0.14-0.80) lower risk of abdominal obesity, respectively. For each additional healthy lifestyle, the risk of developing overweight/obesity was reduced by 41% (OR=0.59, 95%CI: 0.42-0.85), and the risk of developing abdominal obesity was reduced by 37% (OR=0.63, 95%CI: 0.44-0.90). Conclusion: An increasing number of healthy lifestyles was associated with a marked decreased risk for both overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity.
Adult ; Humans ; Case-Control Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Healthy Lifestyle ; Obesity/epidemiology* ; Obesity, Abdominal/epidemiology* ; Overweight/epidemiology* ; Twins, Monozygotic

OBJECTIVE: To identify specific Chinese medicines (CMs) that may benefit patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and explore the action mechanism. METHODS: Domestic and foreign literature on the treatment of GERD with CMs was searched and selected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Database, and PubMed from October 1, 2011 to October 1, 2021. Data from all eligible articles were extracted to establish the database of CMs for GERD. Apriori algorithm of data mining techniques was used to analyze the rules of herbs selection and core Chinese medicine formulas were identified. A system pharmacology approach was used to explore the action mechanism of these medicines. RESULTS: A total of 278 prescriptions for GERD were analyzed, including 192 CMs. Results of Apriori algorithm indicated that Evodiae Fructus and Coptidis Rhizoma were the highest confidence combination. A total of 32 active ingredients and 66 targets were screened for the treatment of GERD. Enrichment analysis showed that the mechanisms of action mainly involved pathways in cancer, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, advanced glycation end product (AGE), the receptor for AGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, bladder cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. CONCLUSION Evodiae Fructus and Coptidis Rhizoma are the core drugs in the treatment of GERD and the potential mechanism of action of these medicines includes potential target and pathways.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Network Pharmacology ; Data Mining ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/drug therapy*

OBJECTIVEIn this study, a pilot-scale investigation was conducted to examine and compare the biotoxicity of the organic compounds in effluents from five treatment processes (P1-P5) where each process was combination of preoxidation (O3), coagulation, sedimentation, sand filtration, ozonation, granular activated carbon, biological activated carbon and chlorination (NaClO).

METHODSOrganic compounds were extracted by XAD-2 resins and eluted with acetone and dichlormethane (DCM). The eluents were evaporated and redissolved with DMSO or DCM. The mutagenicity and estrogenicity of the extracts were assayed with the Ames test and yeast estrogen screen (YES assay), respectively. The organic compounds were detected by GC-MS.

RESULTSThe results indicated that the mutation ratio (MR) of organic compounds in source water was higher than that for treated water. GC-MS showed that more than 48 organic compounds were identified in all samples and that treated water had significantly fewer types and concentrations of organic compounds than source water.

CONCLUSIONTo different extents, all water treatment processes could reduce both the mutagenicity and estrogenicity, relative to source water. P2, P3, and P5 reduced mutagenicity more effectively, while P1 reduced estrogenicity, most effectively. Water treatment processes in this pilot plant had weak abilities to remove Di-n-butyl phthalate or 1, 2-Benzene dicarboxylic acid.

Estrogens ; toxicity ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Mutagens ; toxicity ; Organic Chemicals ; toxicity ; Pilot Projects ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; toxicity ; Water Purification ; methods