AIM: To study the protective effects of Shenqi Fuzheng Injection on radiation therapy of nasopharyngeral carcinoma. METHODS: 58 cases with nasopharyngeal carcioma were selected and divided into 2 groups randomly: 30 cases of treatment group (radiation therapy plus Shenqi Fuzheng Injection) and 28 cases of control group (radiation therapy only). Body weight, Karnofsky score, radioactive stomatitis and change of WBC were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The rate of increasing and stable performance status(Karnofsky score) of treatment group and control group were 90.0% and 60.7%(P

Objective This paper aims to assess the clinical efficacy of pemetrexed maintenance therapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer( NSCLC) through Meta analysis.Me thods Systematic lit-erature searches were performed in Cochrane、Pubmed,Web of science, Embase and ClinicalTrials databases.The related references had been traced.We made quality assessment of qualified randomized controlled trials( RCTs) of pemetrexed maintenance therapy compared with best supportive care( BSC) in advanced NSCLC.Besides,we u-tilized stata 12.0,Revman 5.3 and GRADEpro software to evaluate the overall quality of the evidence,according to the Cochrane collaboration to perform Meta-analysis.Resutl s Three RCTs were eligible and included 1257 patients.Meta-analysis results suggested that:compared to BSC,pemetrexed maintenance therapy had a statisti-cally significant benefit in improving progression-free survival(PFS)(HR =0.55,95% CI:0.48~0.64)and overall survival(HR=0.76,95%CI:0.65~0.88).The objective response(ORR)did not reach statistical signif-icance(RR=0.97,95%CI:0.86~1.10).Conclusion Compared with BSC,pemetrexed maintenance therapy statistically significantly improve PFS and OS,but has no demonstrable impact on ORR in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Objective To analyze CT features of adrenal non-functional pheochromocytoma and non-functional adenoma and to provide reference for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.Methods 17 cases of adrenal non-functional pheochromocytoma and 31 cases of non-functional adenoma confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively.The imaging findings of two groups of cases were statistically analyzed, including size, shape, density, enhanced degree, visible tumor blood vessels, necrosis and cystoid variation and so on.Results The average diameter of the pheochromocytoma was (52.2±20.2) mm, and the average diameter of the adenoma was (27.8±17.6) mm, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).The average CT value of pheochromocytoma was higher than that of adenoma in plain, arterial and venous phases(all P<0.05).Of the 17 cases of pheochromocytoma, 14 cases (82.4%) can be seen tumor blood vessels in the arterial phase, 12 cases (70.6%) can be seen necrosis and cystoid variation, the margins of the tumors were no circular or arc-like enhancement;of the 31 cases of adenoma, 3 cases (9.7%) can be seen tumor blood vessels in the arterial phase, 2 cases (6.5%) can be seen necrosis and cystoid variation,10 cases (32.3%) can be seen circular or arc-like enhancement;all the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).Conclusion Adrenal non-functional pheochromocytoma and non-functional adenoma have characteristic imaging findings, dual phase enhanced scanning of MSCT is helpful for clinical diagnosis and treatment, one of the distinguishing points is to find tumor blood vessels in arterial phase.

Objective To analyze the application value of MSCT enhanced scanning in diagnosis of gastrointestinal mucoca associated lymphoid tissue(MALT) lymphoma.Methods 11 cases of gastrointestinal MALT lymphomas confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively.The clinical data and imaging features of 11 cases were analyzed,including lesion sites, morphologic features and enhancement patterns of tumors,positions of lymph nodes,involvement of extranodal site excluding gastrointestinal tract.Results For morphologic features,8 cases (72.7%) were gastrointestinal wall thickening type, among them, 5 cases occurred in the stomach and 3 cases in the intestine;3 cases (27.3%) were localized mass/nodule type, among them, 2 cases occurred in the stomach and 1 case occurred in the intestine.The sign of aneurysmal dilatation was showed in 2 cases, which occurred in the intestinal tract.There was 1 case of localized mass/nodule MALT lymphoma in the ileocecal junction with local intestinal lumen stenosis.For the manifestations of enhanced scanning,10 cases (90.9%) of tumors were moderately or obviously enhanced, 9 cases (81.8%) showed homogeneous enhancement.For the involvement of lymph nodes and other extranodal organs, regional lymph nodes were involved in 5 cases(45.5%), regional lymph nodes and distant lymph nodes were involved in 1 case(9.1%), lymph nodes of both sides of the diaphragm were involved in 1 case (9.1%), extranodal sites excluding gastrointestinal tract were involved in 2 cases (18.2%).9 cases (81.8%) were classified as stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ, 2 cases (18.2%) were classified as stage Ⅳ.Conclusion MSCT enhanced scanning can provide a reliable basis for the diagnosis and staging of gastrointestinal MALT lymphoma.The chest and abdominopelvic cavity enhanced scanning is recommended as a routine examination.

Objective To study the application of continuous infusion of remifentanil combined with propofol with different velocity du-ring induction of general anesthesia in elderly patients. Methods Sixty elderly patients were divided into 4 groups randomly(n=15) and given remifentanil with continuous infusion rate of 0.1,0.15,0.2 and 0.3 ?g?kg-1?min-1,respectively.After given midazolam and propofol,remifentanil infusion started with different velocity.Three minutes later,vecuronium was given and intubation performed 2 min later.After that,propofol infusion rate was adjusted according to the changes of blood pressure and kept at 4 mg?kg-1?h-1 5 min before incision.Blood pressure(BP),heart rate(HR),intubation score(following Grant's method) and all side effects and adjuvant drugs used were recorded. Results Grant scores in all patients were less than 8.Atropine and ephedrine were given more in large dose groups and with decreasing of usage of propofol.HR decreased markedly in 0.3 ?g?kg-1?min-1 group after remifentanil began(P

Objective To explore the relationship of the severity of coronary-artery stenosis with plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and Meprin-α.Methods Totally 237 patients in our hospital were divided into control group (CON group), stable angina group (SA group) and acute coronary syndrome group (ACS group), according to coronary artery angiography.Patients with acute coronary syndrome were divided into 3 subgroups: unstable angina (UA) group, non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) group and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) group.Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were divided into 3 subgroups: low-score, medium-score and high-score groups, according to coronary angiography and Syntax score.BNP and Meprin-α levels were determined in patients with coronary artery disease, and the degree of coronary artery stenosis was evaluated.The differences in above indexes were analyzed and compared among the three groups.Results Plasma levels of BNP and Meprin-α were higher in ACS group than in CON group [(233.16± 78.22)ng/L vs.(33.48 ± 13.71)ng/L, (26.89 ± 6.45) nmol/L vs.(12.83±0.66)nmol/L, both P＜0.05].Compared with UA group, plasma levels of BNP and Meprin-α were increased in NSTEMI and STEMI groups (all P＜0.05).Compared with the control group, plasma levels of BNP and Meprin-α in the Syntax scores-divided subgroups were increased (all P＜ 0.05).The plasma levels of BNP and Meprin-α in CAD patients were significantly increased along with the increase of Syntax Score.Spearman correlation analysis showed that low density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, BNP and Meprin-α levels had positive correlations with the occurrence of coronary heart disease, while high density lipoprotein level was negatively correlated with the occurrence of coronary heart disease (all P＜0.05).Conclusions BNP and Meprin-α levels in peripheral blood are significantly elevated in patients with coronary heart disease, and they are correlated with Syntax score.The risk of ACS is increased along with the increased BNP and Meprinα levels.

Throughout the twenty-first century, robotic surgery has been used in multiple oral surgical procedures for the treatment of head and neck tumors and non-malignant diseases. With the assistance of robotic surgical systems, maxillofacial surgery is performed with less blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospitalization and better cosmetic results than standard open surgery. However, the application of robotic surgery techniques to the treatment of head and neck diseases remains in an experimental stage, and the long-lasting effects on surgical morbidity, oncologic control and quality of life are yet to be established. More well-designed studies are needed before this approach can be recommended as a standard treatment paradigm. Nonetheless, robotic surgical systems will inevitably be extended to maxillofacial surgery. This article reviews the current clinical applications of robotic surgery in the head and neck region and highlights the benefits and limitations of current robotic surgical systems.

Objective To investigate whether IL-17 could stimulate the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production on HaCaT cells alone. We also investigated whether shikonin could inhibited the proinflamation effects of interleukin-17(IL-17) acting on HaCaT cells. MethodsWe examined the expression of VEGF by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) and realtime polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) in HaCaT cells and the cell supernatant. The viability of HaCaT cells in the drug group was detected by the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). ResultsThe expression of VEGF in different time IL-17-stimulated groups on HaCaT cells and the cell supernatant were higher than the control group( P＜0.001 ). The expression of VEGF in different drug treatment groups on HaCaT cells and the cell supematant were lower than the stimulated group by IL-17 ( P＜0. 001 ). The cell viability of different drug treatment groups have no significant difference( P＞0.05 ). ConclusionWe show that IL-17 specifically and time-dependently augmented and induced VEGF expression on HaCaT cells and the cell supernatantThen shikonin markedly inhibited the increase tengency of IL-17 effection on HaCaT cells and the cell supematant level.

Objective To compare clinical effect of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist(GnRH-a) alone and GnRH-a combined with low-dose dydrogesteronea and estradiol valerate on sex hormone, hypoestrogenic symptoms, quality of life and bone mineral density (BMD)in treatment of endometriosis.Methods Seventy patients with moderate or severe endometriosis, who were diagnosed by laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery within two months, were randomly assigned into two groups.35 patients in GnRH-a group were treated by goserelin (3.6 mg)for three months, and 35 patients in add-back group were treated by goserelin (3.6 mg)combined with estradiol valerate 0.5 mg and dydrogesteronea 5 mg daily.Before and after the treatment, clinical parameters were recorded and analyzed, including visual analog scale (VAS), medical outcomes survey short form 36 (SF-36), Kupperman menopausal index(KMI), BMD, the serum level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E_2) and bone gla-protein (BGP) .The first menstruation and VAS were also followed up after treatment.Results Every 3 cases in two groups lost follow-up.(1)Reproductive hormone: the level of E_2 in add-back group [(94 ± 71) pmol/L]was significantly higher than (54±52) pmol/L in GnRH-a group(P <0.01).The level of FSH in add-back group [(3.0 ± 1.9) U/L]was significantly lower than (5.7 ± 2.9) U/L in GnRH-a group (P < 0.05).(2) VAS: after treatment, VAS in both group decreased significantly when compared with that before treatment(P < 0.05), and remained until menstruated.(3) KMI: KMI in add back-group (10 ± 8) was significantly lower than (14 ± 6) in GnRH-a group (P < 0.05).(4) BMD: compared with that before treatment, BMD decreased significantly after treatment in GnRH-a group (P < 0.05), no remarkable difference of BMD was observed before and after treatment in add-back group.Before treatment, serum BGP in both groups did not show statistical difference.After treatment, the level of BGP in GnRH-a group [(7932±5206) ng/L]was significantly higher than (5419±2917) ng/L in add-back group (P <0.05).Conclusions GnRH-a combined with estrogen-progesterone regimen could relieve pain from endometriosis as effectively as GnRH-a alone and reduce hypoestrogenic symptoms and bone loss.Therefore,it is a safe and effective treatment.