OBJECTIVE:To observe the efficacy of Compound Epidermal Growth Factor Pellicles for recurrent oral ulcer. METHODS: 106 patients with recurrent oral ulcer were randomly assigned to receive Compound Epidermal Growth Factor Pellicles with efficacy-confirmed hospital preparation as control. The clinical efficacy in two groups was compared. RESULTS: The effective rate was significantly higher in patients treated with Compound Epidermal Growth Factor Pellicles than with hospital preparation (control) (89.66% vs. 75.00%,P

One Cryptopsoridium isolate from a 3 month-old calf in a dairy cow farm of Harbin was identified by molecular method, in which the common genes of 18S rRNA and actin used in Cryptosporidium genotyping were selected, the primers were designed, and the approximate 840 bp and 1066 bp fragments of these two genes were amplified respectively by nested PCR. The PCR products were sequenced by two directions, and then the sequences were analyzed by using the soft wares of ClustlX, DNAstar, and PHLIP. The experimental result showed that in the 18SrRNA gene, there was the highest identities compared to other reported isolates of cow-derived C. ryanae (DQ871345, AY587166, and EU410344), with 100% of similarity. Likewise, at actin locus, the present isolate also had 100% similarity with an American cow-derived C. ryanae isolate (EU410345) and a deer-like genotype isolate (AY741309). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the present isolate shared the same evolution branch in the two gene loci. These analyses demonstrated that the present isolate belonged to C. ryanae. These results provide a significant reference for the study on the species distribution and assessment in the public health significance of Cryptosporidium in cow milk in China.

BACKGROUNDTo explore the clinical and prognostic values of serum carbohydrate antigen (CA125), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), calcitonin (CT) levels in patients with lung cancer before operation.

METHODSNinety two untreated patients with lung cancer confirmed histologically were studied. Serum CA125, NSE, and CT were detected in 92 lung cancer patients by ELISA before operation. Thirty healthy volunteers were chosen as controls.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of CA125, NSE, and CT for the diagnosis of lung cancer were 48.9%, 21.7%, and 7.6% respectively. The level of CA125 in lung cancer patients was significantly higher than that of control (P < 0.05). The level of NSE in patients with small cell lung cancer was significantly higher than that of control (P < 0.01). The level of CT in lung cancer patients was higher than that of control, but without significant difference. The 3-year survival rate of patients with increased serum CA125 level before operation was 44.4% (20/45), whereas that of patients with normal CA125 level was 66.0% (31/47) (P < 0.05). The 3-year survival rate of patients with increased serum NSE and CT levels was 45.0% (9/20) and 42.8% (3/7) respectively, whereas that of patients with normal serum NSE and CT level was 58.3% (42/72) and 56.5% (48/85) respectively. The 3-year survival rate of patients with increased serum NSE or CT level had no significant difference with that of patients with normal level (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnostic values of CA125, NSE and CT are limited. CA125 can be used as an prognostic parameter in patients with lung cancer after operation.