To compare the efficacy of interferon and thymosin alpha-1 combination therapy with interferon monotherapy for HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B. The relevant randomized controlled trials were searched throughout PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, CBMdisc, VIP, WanFang since Janurary 1990. Studies were included if patients were followed up for at least 6 months after cessation of treatment. Meta-analysis was carried out with RevMan5.0 software. Subgroup analyses were used at different time of observation. Seven randomized controlled trials were included(535 patients in total). According to the results of meta-analysis, the combination therapy was remarkably more effective than monotherapy both at the end of the treatment and the follow-up in terms of HBV-DNA negative rate (54.9% vs 36.3%, OR=2.39, 95% CI=1.64-3.49, P value is less than 0.01; 58.6% vs 30.7%, OR=3.68, 95% CI=2.51-5.41, P value is less than 0.01, respectively), ALT normalization rate (74.5% vs 60.9%, OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.26-3.00, P value is less than 0.01; 74.0% vs 55.6%, OR=2.36, 95% CI=1.54-3.62, P value is less than 0.01, respectively), HBeAg loss rate (56.9% vs 36.7%, OR=2.38, 95% CI=1.61-3.51, P value is less than 0.01; 62.2% vs 33.2%, OR=3.42, 95% CI=2.31-5.06, P value is less than 0.01, respectively) , and HBeAg seroconversion rate (40.1% vs 29.0%, OR=1.65, 95% CI=1.10-2.47, P value is less than 0.05; 47.0% vs 29.5%, OR=2.13, 95% CI=1.43-3.16, P value is less than 0.01, respectively); the HBsAg loss rate of the combination therapy group was significantly higher than that of the monotherapy group only at the end of the follow-up (9.8% vs 3.7%, OR=2.92, 95% CI=1.09-7.76, P value is less than 0.05). Interferon and thymosin alpha-1 combination therapy achieves superior effect with no increase in the adverse effects as compared to interferon monotherapy for HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B.
Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferons ; therapeutic use ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Thymosin ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONDiabetic foot wounds are serious complications of diabetes mellitus. Surgical debridement is a very important part of the management of diabetic wounds. Sharp debridement using the scalpel is normally performed. Versajet II hydrosurgery system is an alternative technique for debridement. To our knowledge, this is the fi rst study conducted to evaluate the use of hydrosurgery debridement for diabetic foot wounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis pilot study included 15 consecutive patients with diabetic foot wounds who were admitted to the National University Hospital (NUH) and were managed by the Diabetic Foot Team from June 2012 to December 2012. All wounds underwent hydrosurgery debridement. Patients' demographic details, clinical details on wound assessments, and outcome were recorded and analysed.

RESULTSThe Versajet II hydrosurgery system was found to show some advantages over standard surgical scalpel debridement. It allowed adequate debridement whilst preserving more viable tissue to promote rapid healing. It could be manoeuvred over complex wound terrain. The time required for debridement was short--an average of 9.5 minutes. Good wound healing was achieved in all 15 cases. Only 1 Versajet debridement was required in 13 cases and 2 required an extra debridement. Twelve wounds were healed by split thickness skin grafting (STSG) and 3 wounds by secondary healing. Two of the STSG were infected but they were subsequently healed by dressings via secondary healing.

CONCLUSIONAlthough good wound healing was achieved in all 15 cases, further study that uses a larger cohort and a randomised controlled trial is required to fully evaluate the effectiveness, or otherwise, of the Versajet II hydrosurgery system for the debridement of diabetic foot wounds.

Adult ; Aged ; Debridement ; methods ; Diabetic Foot ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Water ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in clinical therapeutic effect and safety between amphotericin B and its liposome form in treating invasive fungal infection (IFI) in hematological disorder with neutrocytopenia.

METHODSOf 111 patients with IFI, 82 were treated with amphotericin B and 29 with amphotericin B liposome. The mean cumulative dose of amphotericin B was 617 (60-1895) mg and the mean course was 18 (7-60) d, and those for amphotericin B liposome was 925 (140-3420) mg and 13 (7-50) d, respectively.

RESULTSThe total effective rates of amphotericin B and its liposome groups were 69% and 58%, respectively (P>0.05). The adverse effect rates of chill and fever in amphotericin B and its liposome groups were 21% and 10% (P>0.05), hypopotassemia 34% and 14% (P=0.03), hepatic impairment 22% and 17% (P>0.05), and renal impairment 9% and 3%, respectively (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect for IFI of amphotericin B and its liposome was similar. The severe adverse reaction of amphotericin B liposome was slightly lower than that of amphotericin B.

Agranulocytosis ; complications ; Amphotericin B ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antifungal Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Hematologic Diseases ; complications ; Humans ; Liposomes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Mycoses ; complications ; drug therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyse the outcome of newly diagnosed adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with HAA (homoharringtonine, cytarabine and aclarubicin) regimen and explore the efficacy and safety of this regimen.

METHODSEighty patients were treated with HAA regimen. The complete remission (CR) rate was observed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate relapse free survival (RFS) rate and the differences were compared with 2-sided log-rank test.

RESULTSOf the 80 patients, 65 (81%) attained CR and the CR rate after the first course of induction was 75%. For the CR patients, the median follow-up was 26 (2 -69) months, and the estimated 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 51% and the estimated 3-year RFS was 53%. For the AML-M5 and AML-M /M2 patients the CR rate was 74% and 87% and 3 year RFS of CR patients was 75% and 37%, respectively. The CR rate of 100%, 83% and 20% was achieved in patients with favorable, intermediate and unfavorable cytogenetics, respectively. The 3 year OS for favorable and intermediate group was 76% and 50% respectively. The median survival time of unfavorable group was only 6 months.

CONCLUSIONHAA regimen is a safe, efficacious, and well-tolerable induction therapy for newly diagnosed AML.

Aclarubicin ; administration & dosage ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cytarabine ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Harringtonines ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Consolidation Chemotherapy ; Cytarabine ; Cytogenetics ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics, risk factors and therapeutic outcome of Philadelphia chromosome-positive adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+)aALL).

METHODSThe clinical data of 117 newly diagnosed adults with Ph(+)ALL in our hospital between January 1995 and December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. And their prognoses were followed up.

RESULTSThere were 117(16.1%) of 727 aALL patients diagnosed as Ph(+)aALL. Among the 117 cases, 64.1% patients were classified as pre-B immunophenotype and 31.3% as common B immunophenotype, 37.5% patients with co-expression of myeloid antigens (CD13 or CD33), and 98.4% patients with positive CD34. The complete remission (CR) rate after 1 or 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy was 62.2% in Ph(+)aALL group versus 82% in Ph(-)aALL group (P = 0.000). The median disease-free survival time of Ph(+) group was 6 months and the median survival time was 9 months. Sole karyotype abnormality subgroup t(9;22) accounted for 53% of all Ph(+)aALL patients and additional karyotype abnormality subgroup, t(9;22) plus other chromosome variation, accounted for 47%. Patients in sole karyotype abnormality subgroup had slightly lower CR rate (59.6% vs 62.5%, P = 0.768), longer median survival time (7 months vs 4 months, P = 0.158), and higher 3-year overall survival rate (27.3% vs 14.4%, P = 0.271). For the myeloid antigen co-expressed patients and the only lymphocytic antigen expressed ones, CR rate was 56.0% and 61.5% (P = 0.750), the median survival time was 5 months and 4 months (P = 0.182), and the 3-year overall survival rate was 16.0% and 15.0% (P = 0.354), respectively. In the imatinib plus combination chemotherapy treatment group, 81.3% patients achieved CR, compared with that of 58.3% in patients treated with only traditional combination chemotherapy (P = 0.083). The median survival time was 9.5 months and 6 months (P = 0.003) in these two subgroup, and 3-year overall survival rate was 52.2% and 10.3% (P = 0.029), respectively. For the patients receiving allo-HSCT after CR and that receiving traditional consolidation chemotherapy, the median survival time was 15 months and 6 months (P = 0.000), and the 3-year overall survival rate was 62.0% and 10.3% (P = 0.000), respectively. For the patients receiving imatinib as consolidation-maintenance treatment and that receiving allo-HSCT, the median survival time was 12 months and 15 months (P = 0.300), and the 3-year overall survival rate was 64.7% and 62% (P = 0.505), respectively.

CONCLUSIONOf all adult ALL patients, the Ph(+) subgroup accounted for about 16.1%, which have unfavorable prognosis such as lower CR rate and shorter survival duration under traditional chemotherapy. Neither additional chromosome abnormalities to t(9;22) nor co-expression of myeloid antigen had negative effect on CR rate and survival duration. Addition of imatinib to the therapy was beneficial to improve the CR rate and survival duration. Either receiving imatinib as consolidation-maintenance treatment or allo-HSCT after complete remission can improve long-term survival rate of Ph(+) adult ALL group significantly.

Adult ; Benzamides ; Female ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Male ; Philadelphia Chromosome ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVEAssessment of detection of IgM antibodies for human enterovirus 71 (EV 71) in early diagnosis for the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

METHODThe sera and throat swabs from 38 patients which were clinical diagnosis as HFMD, were continuous daily collected in our hospital in 2010. These specimens were detected by EV 71 IgM antibodies assay, real time RT-PCR methods for EV 71 and Enterovirus.

RESULTSAmong 38 HFMD patients, the cumulative positive rates of EV 71 IgM antibodies were: 60.5% on day 1, 71.1% on day 2, 81.5% in the first 3-4 days, 92.1% on day 5, 92.1% on day 6, and the positive rate of nucleic acid detected by the real time RT-PCR for EV 71 and Enterovirus were 60.5%, 73.6%.

CONCLUSIONThe positive rate of EV 71 IgM antibodies in the hand, foot and mouth disease just can occur on day 1, and reach to peak on day 5, which can be used as one of indicators of early diagnosis of hand, foot and mouth disease.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Early Diagnosis ; Enterovirus A, Human ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; immunology ; Infant ; Male

OBJECTIVETo verify a new kit of "universal and novel influenza A (H1N1) virus nucleic acid double-detection methods (PCR-fluorescence probe)".

METHODS150 cases of throat swab specimens were collected consecutively. After RNA was extracted, the specimens were detected by the verified kit. At the same time, the same specimens were detected by Real-time PCR diagnostic kit from Beijing CDC as the control. The data were analysed by the Kappa in agreement and by McNemar chi2 in difference test.

RESULTSThe consistency rate of the verified kit and the Beijing CDC kit was universal primer M 97.33%, H1N1 98.67% respectively. The Kappa test and McNemar chi2 test showed that two methods had a higher consistency. Compared to the CDC kit, the "false negative rate" and "false-positive rate"of double-check kit were lower.

CONCLUSIONThe kit of "universal and novel influenza A (H1N1) virus nucleic acid double-detection methods (PCR-fluorescence probe)" from Shanghai Kehua Bio-Engineering Co., Ltd can be used to detect influenza A and novel influenza A (H1N1).

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic

Objective Aim of this paper was to explore the trend and characteristics of cancer incidence in 11 areas (5 cities and 6 counties) in China. Methods Data from cancer registries during 1988 to 2002 collected from the 11 cancer registry points were used to analyze the trends and characteristics of cancer incidence rates. Results There were 695 050 newly developed cancer cases in this study. The crude rate of incidence and the world age-adjusted incidence were 215.50/105 and 170.97/105 respectively. The leading cancer sites were lung, stomach, liver, esophagus, breast, colon, rectum, pancreas, bladder and leukemia. The sixteen key cancers accounted for 85.56% of all the cancer cases. The crude incidence rate of all cancers had been significantly increased from 1988 to 2002. Among them, prostate (185.48%) ranked the fastest growing one followed by cancers of the gallbladder, breast, colon, ovarian, lymphoma, bladder, pancreas, rectum, lung, leukemia and liver. The one that had reduced the most was cervix uteri (17.00%), followed by esophagus, stomach and nasopharynx. Conclusion Crude cancer incidence rate increased in the 11 areas in China from 1988 to 2002. The ranking of pancreas cancer, bladder cancer and leukemia came into the top ten. Even though the incidence rates of prostate and gallbladder cancer were relative low but had a fast increase. The results of this study provided a scientific base for the development of a better strategy on cancer prevention and control in China.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of the HAA regimen (homoharringtonine, cytarabine and aclarubicin) as induction chemotherapy in de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODSThe efficacy and safety of 236 de novo AML patients who received the HAA regimen as induction chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. The complete remission (CR) rate was assayed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and relapse free survival (RFS), and the differences were compared by Log-rank test.

RESULTSThe overall CR rate was 78.0%, and 65.7% of the patients attained CR in the first induction cycle. The early death rate was 4.7%. The median followup time was 41(1-161) months. The estimated 5-year OS and 5-year RFS rates were 44.9% and 45.5%, respectively. The CR rates of patients with favorable, intermediate and unfavorable cytogenetics were 92.9%,78.6%and 41.7%, respectively. The 5-year OS of favorable and intermediate group were 61.1% and 45.1%, respectively. The 5- year RFS of favorable and intermediate group were 49.0% and 45.4%, respectively. The median survival time of unfavorable group was only 5 months. The side effects associated with the HAA regimen were tolerable, in which the most common toxicities were myelosuppression and infection.

CONCLUSIONThe HAA regimen is associated with a higher rate of CR and longer survival time and its toxicity could be tolerated.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult