OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ganxian recipe (GXR) and lamivudine (LVD) in a two-year treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients with CHB were randomly divided into the combinedly treated group (combined group) of 40 CHB patients who were treated with GXR combined with LVD. Another 40 CHB patients were treated with LVD alone (WM group), and still another 40 CHB patients were treated with GXR alone (TCM group). All these cases were randomly controlled and observed for two years.

RESULTSComprehensive efficacy: Total effective rate of the combined group (complete response and partial response) was 92.5%, while that of the WM group was 67.5% and TCM group 57.5%, respectively, with the difference between them was significant (P < 0.01); after treatment, the hepatic functions (AST, ALT, SB) of the three groups were all reduced, and the reduction in the combined group was particularly significant in comparison with the WM group or TCM group, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 respectively, suggesting that the effect in the combined group was better than that in the other two groups; the rate of tyrosine-methionine-aspartate-aspartate (YMDD) virus mutation: it was 7.5% in the combined group, 40.0% in the WM group, and 5.0% in the TCM group; liver fibrosis improvement parameter: after treatment, the results in the combined group got better than those in the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONGXR could inhibit the appearance of YMDD after long-term application of LVD, and combined use has marked synergism.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genes, Viral ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Phytotherapy ; adverse effects ; Plant Preparations ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the association of polymorphisms in the X-ray repair cross-complementing gene 1 (XRCC1) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHODSA hospital based, matched case-control study was carried out. The polymorphisms in XRCC1 for 105 pairs of cases with PTC and controls were identified by PCR-RFLP.

RESULTSThe frequencies of Arg/Arg, Arg/Trp and Trp/Trp genotypes at XRCC1 Arg194Trp site were 47.6%, 49.5% and 2.9% among cases compared to 45.7%, 48.6% and 5.7% among controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (chi(2) = 1.07, P = 0.59). The frequencies of Arg/Arg, Arg/Gln and Gln/Gln genotypes at XRCC1 Arg399Gln site were 46.7%, 41.9% and 11.4% among cases, while 54.2%, 42.9% and 2.9% among controls respectively. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups (chi(2) = 6.40, P = 0.04). Individuals with Gln/Gln genotype had a 3.65-fold increased risk of developing PTC compared to Arg/Arg genotype (OR = 4.65, 95% CI: 1.24 - 17.45). The multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism, negative life events and X-irradiation history were associated with PTC, with odds ratios of 2.71 (95% CI: 1.22 - 6.05), 5.34 (95% CI: 1.40 - 20.38) and 0.38 (95% CI: 0.12 - 0.72) respectively. However, XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism, drinking tea, fruit and economic levels did not show statistically significant associations with PTC.

CONCLUSIONThe Gln/Gln genotype at XRCC1 Arg399Gln site and negative life events significantly increased while X-irradiation history decreased the risk of developing PTC.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; etiology ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Repair ; genetics ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; X-ray Repair Cross Complementing Protein 1

OBJECTIVEIn order to explore the risk factors of the papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC), a hospital-based matched case-control study was carried out in Shanghai.

METHODSMatched by gender, age (+/- 3 years old) and native place,205 pairs of cases and controls were recruited and studied. Database was established with Epi Info 6.0 software. Univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis were carried out with SPSS 11.5 software.

RESULTSData from multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that often drinking tea and having better economic living standard 20 years ago were protective factors of PTC, with ORs of 0.456 and 0.221 respectively. Personal history of CT examination, familial history of cancer and the mother's age was older than 22 years when the research subject was delivered, were risk factors of PTC, with ORs of 12.935, 7.027 and 3.729 respectively. Results data from multivariate analysis on female subjects showed that the history of CT examination, mother's age was older than 22 (when the subject was delivered) and the history of gynecological disease were the risk factors of PTC,with ORs of 107.453,29.246 and 59.521 respectively. Taking bean products frequently and having higher standard of living 20 years ago were the protective factors of PTC,with ORs of 0.025 and 0. 144 respectively.

CONCLUSIONHistory of CT examination, familial history of cancer and the mother's age(older than 22 when the subject was delivered) were the risk factors of PTC. Frequent tea drinking habit and having higher standard of living 20 years ago were the protective factors of PTC. History of CT examination,mother's age (older than 22 when the subject was delivered) and the history of gynecological disease appeared the risk factors of PTC for women. Habit on frequent bean products taking and had higher standard of living 20 years ago were the protective factors of PTC to women.

Carcinoma, Papillary ; epidemiology ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Social Class ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture on poststroke deglutition disorders.

METHODSSixty-eight inpatients of moderate and severe deglutition disorders were treated by the activating brain function to cause resuscitation needling method.

RESULTSTwenty-six cases were cured, 24 were remarkedly effective, 16 were effective, with a total effective rate of 97.06%.

CONCLUSIONThis needling method has a markedly therapeutic effect on poststroke moderate and severe deglutition disorders.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; Deglutition Disorders ; therapy ; Humans ; Resuscitation ; Stroke

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical application of transumbilical double-hole laparoscopic operation for incarcerated inguinal hernia in the infants.

METHODSForty-eight cases with incarcerated inguinal hernia (male 39, female 9) aging from 4 months to 3 years (mean 1.2 +/- 0.8 years) received the laparoscopic transumbilical double-hole operation (LTO group) during April.2003 to April.2004. Thirty cases were left side incarcerated inguinal hernia, 12 cases were right side and 6 cases were bilateral. Fifty infants of incarcerated inguinal hernias treated with traditional operation served as controls (TO group). The mean operation time, length of stay, return of bowel function and postoperative complication were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAll cases of both groups recovered without any complication. The operation time, average hospitalization and return of bowel function in LTO were (30 +/- 5) min, (7.8 +/- 0.3) h and (4.4 +/- 0.3) d, respectively, and in TO were (43 +/- 6) min, (23.3 +/- 2.4) h and (6.7 +/- 0.4) d, respectively. There was a significant difference in the two groups (P < 0.05). The patients in both groups were followed up for 3 months to one year. LTO group had no recurrence or atrophy of testis and TO group had one relapse of hernia.

CONCLUSIONSTransumbilical double-hole laparoscopic operation is safe and microinvasive. It is a useful microinvasive procedure in the treatment of incarcerated inguinal hernia for infant.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hernia, Inguinal ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the high-risk factors for neonatal incarcerated hernia with intestinal necrosis by logistic regression analysis.

METHODSRetrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 131 neonates with incarcerated oblique inguinal hernia containing the intestine. Of the 131 cases, 14 suffered from intestinal necrosis. The high risk factors for neonatal incarcerated hernia with intestinal necrosis were determined by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSManual reduction after incarceration (>2 times) (χ2 = 69.289, P<0.01), incarceration history (>2 times) (χ2 = 84.731, P<0.01), and mesentery incarceration (χ2 = 80.233, P<0.01) were the high-risk factors for neonatal incarcerated hernia with intestinal necrosis.

CONCLUSIONSIntestinal necrosis tends to occur in neonates with incarcerated hernia who have incarceration or received manual reduction more than twice and suffer from mesentery incarceration. Manual reduction is prohibited for these cases, which should be surgically treated immediately.

Female ; Hernia, Inguinal ; complications ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestines ; pathology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Necrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Objective To explore a kind of simple and high efficient approach to differentiate human embryonic stem cells(hESCs)into neural stem cells(NSCs).Methods hESCs were cultured in bacterial culture dish filled with serum free medium to gain embryoid bodies.Then the mature embryoid bodies grew in the special medium including B27 and noggin by adherent culture to differentiate into NSCs. Results The hESCs kept floating in the bacterial culture dish and growing all the time and then formed mature embryoid bodies 7 to 10 days later.The embryoid bodies could be differentiated into highly pure (96.4%)nestin positive cells.And these cells were differentiated into all kinds of neural cells if cultured further.Conclusions This kind of method is less time-consuming,cheaper,and more efficient than those of the results in literatures reported.It affords very good source of seed cells for cell transplantation therapy in the future.

Female ; Hernia, Inguinal ; surgery ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic ; epidemiology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and point mutations of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene in Chinese of Han ethnicity.

METHODSThe target fragments of the exon 39, exon 61 and exon 63 of ATM gene were first amplified using PCR technique, then screened for the SNPs and point mutations using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique, finally the representative bands were sequenced for the verification of the new single nucleotide polymorphisms and point mutations using the automatic DNA sequencing technique.

RESULTSSix new SNPs were found in the exon 39, intron 61 and intron 63 of ATM gene. They are respectively the A/T polymorphisms at nucleotide 5689 and 5691 in exon 39, the T/G polymorphisms at nucleotide +69 and +99, the A/G polymorphism at nucleotide +94 in intron 61, the G/C polymorphism at nucleotide +17 in intron 63. Five new point mutations were found in the exon 61, intron 62 and exon 63 of ATM gene. They are respectively the T/G transversion at nucleotide 8618 in exon 61, the T/G transversion at nucleotide -13 in intron 62, the T/G transversion at nucleotide 8793, the G/A transitions at nucleotide 8816 and 8848 in exon 63. The known three SNPs, the G/A polymorphism at nucleotide 5557 in exon 39, the T/C polymorphism at nucleotide +104 in intron 61 and the T/C polymorphism at nucleotide -55 in intron 62, were verified in Chinese of Han ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONThere are great differences in the SNPs of ATM gene between Chinese of Han ethnicity and Caucasian.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Ataxia Telangiectasia ; genetics ; Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Exons ; genetics ; Humans ; Introns ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship of the genetic polymorphisms and the haplotypes in hMLH1 and hMSH3 gene with the risk of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in Chinese Hans.

METHODSA hospital based 1:1 matched case-control study was carried out. The polymorphisms for 204 pairs of PTC cases and healthy controls were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and allele specific oligonucleotide (PCR-ASO) assays.

RESULTS(1) The PTC risk was marginally increased in the hMLH1 1151TA genotype, with odds ratio (OR) of 2.15 (95%CI: 0.99-4.85); the PTC risk was significantly increased in the mutant genotype 1151TA+AA, with OR of 2.15 (95%CI: 1.02-4.69); (2) The haplotypes of -93G, 1151A, 655A in the hMLH1 gene could increase the PTC risk, with OR of 2.67 (95%CI: 1.16-6.53, P=0.011), compared with the haplotype of -93G, 1151T, 655A; (3) Compared to 3124A, 2835G haplotype in hMSH3 gene, the 3124G, 2835A haplotype could increase the PTC risk marginally, with OR of 3.08 (95%CI: 0.92-13.25).

CONCLUSIONThe 1151T/A polymorphism in hMLH1 was associated with PTC; both the haplotype of -93G, 1151A, 655A in hMLH1 and the 3124G, 2835A haplotype in hMSH3 were associated with PTC.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary ; genetics ; Adult ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Haplotypes ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics