OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy of Panlongqi tablet (Chinese characters) combined with lumbar facet joint release for lumbar spinal stenosis of type Fengshi Bizu (Chinese characters).

METHODSSince February 2012 to February 2013, 120 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis of Fengshi Bizu (Chinese characters) syndrome were retrospectively studied. According to different treatment methods, 120 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were divided into Panlongqi tablet (Chinese characters)group and control groups, respectively. In Panlongqi tablet (Chinese characters)group, 60 patients were treated by Panlongqi tablet (Chinese characters) combined with lumbar facet joints release solution including 26 males and 34 females with an average age of (60.40±3.36) years old ranging from 46 to 65 ; the course of the disease was 2 to 15 years (averaged 7.6 years). In control group the other 60 patients were treated with lumbar facet joint release including 24 males and 36 females with an average age of (61.20±2.47) years old ranging from 48 to 63; the course was 3 to 14 years (averaged 6.9 years). The clinical effect of patients were evaluated by JOA and ODI score before treatment, at 4 weeks and 3 months after treatment.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 4 to 7 months (means 5.6 months). After 3 months,7 cases in control group recurrenced symptoms,only 1 case in Panlongqi tablet (Chinese characters) group recurrenced. At 4 weeks and 3 months of follow-up, ODI score and JOA score of Panlongqi tablet group were much better than those of the control group.

CONCLUSIONFor lumbar spinal stenosis of type Fengshi Bizu (Chinese characters),which were treated with lumbar facet joint release with Panlongqi tablet(Chinese characters), supplemented by back muscle exercise, in relieving waist and low back pain symptoms and improving functional status of lower lumbar spine, can obtain satisfactory clinical outcome, is a good method of conservative treatment for such diseases.

Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Punctures ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Stenosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy

Psoriasis is an immune-abnormal, chronic, proliferative skin disease determined by polygenic inheritance and induced by a number of environmental factors. It causes worldwide concern because of its high-prevalence, harmful and incurable characteristics. Over the years, Chinese medicine (CM) treatment of psoriasis has accumulated a wealth of clinical experience. Disease-syndrome combination, which achieves more satisfactory clinical effect, is the basis to highlight the special CM advantages in treating psoriasis. In this paper, we review the advantages of treating psoriasis with the combination of disease and syndrome, analyze the prospects of research on treating psoriasis combining disease with syndrome. We also make a point that there are several key points for the clinical research of combination of disease and syndrome. It can be expected that carrying out clinical research on the combination of disease and syndrome will help improve the clinical efficacy of medical treatment of psoriasis, which will be the main direction of research in the future.
Biomedical Research ; trends ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Psoriasis ; etiology ; therapy ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the safety and efficiency of pacing at right ventricular outflow versus right ventricular apex.

METHODPatients were divided into two groups: pacing at ventricular cardiac apex (common pacing group, n = 22) and pacing at right ventricular outflow tract (uncommon pacing group, n = 18).

RESULTSImpedance and amplitude of R-wave were similar during implantation between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The pacing threshold and electric current were significant higher in uncommon group than those in common pacing group (all P < 0.05), however, these differences disappeared at 1 month post pacemaker implantation (all P > 0.05). The mean QRS duration tended to be shorter in uncommon pacing group compared to that in common pacing group (P > 0.05). There was no pacemaker associated adverse effect in both groups.

CONCLUSIONThe safety and efficiency of pacing at right ventricular outflow was similar as those of pacing at right ventricular apex.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardiac Output ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; methods ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Ventricles ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Function, Right

OBJECTIVESTo screen the hALR-interacting protein by phage-displayed technique and identify its biological activities.

METHODSThe specific phage clones that interacted with target protein hALR from a cDNA library of hepatocarcinoma cells were selected using the T7 phage-displayed technique. The acquired cDNA inserts were sequenced and analyzed by bioinformatic tools. The biological activities of the phage-displayed peptide affecting QGY hepatocarcinoma cells were studied using 3H-TdR method.

RESULTSThe cDNA inserts with 212 bp were acquired after 4 rounds of biopanning. They showed 100% homology with citron kinase. The phage-displayed peptide and the peptide combined with hALR affected QGY cells proliferation.

CONCLUSIONShALR-interacting peptide can be specifically screened by phage-displayed technique. Citron kinase that interacted with hALR potentially plays an important role in the proliferation of hepatocarcinoma cells.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Regeneration ; Peptide Library ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Proteins ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVESTo detect whether there is an expression of human augmenter of liver regeneration (hALR) in HepG2 cells. To develop a kind of RNAi that specifically targets human augmenter of liver regeneration by synthesizing small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vivo, and to assess the inhibitory effect of this siRNA on hALR expression.

METHODSThe expression of hALR in HepG2 cells was observed with immunocytochemistry. The RNAi plasmid pSIALR-A and the unrelated control plasmid pSIALR-B were transfected into HepG2 cells. Forty-eight hours after transfection, the protein level of hALR was measured with immunocytochemistry; meanwhile, the reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of hALR mRNA.

RESULTShALR was expressed by HepG2 cells. siRNA plasmid pSIALR-A, which targets the cDNA of hALR and the unrelated control plasmid pSIALR-B, was successfully constructed. Both immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR showed that pSIALR-A inhibited the expression of hALR in HepG2 cells significantly, compared with that of pSIALR-B.

CONCLUSIONThe results showed that the small interfering RNA targeting hALR suppresses the expression of hALR in a sequence-specific manner

Base Sequence ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic value of Luminex XMAP liquid chip for HPV detection.

METHODSDetect HPV DNA with the liquid chip and HC II in 264 cases, including 231 of cervical cancer and 33 of cervical scrapes. The accordance of two methods were compared and DNA sequencing was performed in conflicting samples and single (infection samples.

RESULTSThere is an excellent agreement between the methods. The overall incidence of HPV was 82.95%, the most common genotypes were HPV 16, 52, 58, 18, 11, 31, 6, 39, 33, 56, 70. Among all the positive types, 117 were single type and 102 were multiple types, and 87.43% were high-risk HPV genotypes and 12.57% were low-risk genotypes. Based on the criteria of histology and pathology, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative-predictive value of HPV liquid chip and HC II for detecting all cases of CIN II, III and carcinomas were respectively 93.07%, 87.88%, 98.17%, 64.44% and 94.81%, 87.88%, 98.21%, 70.73%.

CONCLUSIONThe common types of HPV infection are 16, 52, 58, 18, 11, 6, 56 and 31. Multiplex HPV genotyping by Luminex XMAP liquid chip appears to be highly suitable for diagnostic screening and large-scale epidemiological studies.

Adult ; Aged ; Alphapapillomavirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Papillomavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; virology ; Phylogeny ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; virology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) gene polymorphism and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN).

METHODSFifty patients with failed renal allografts and clinically and histopathologically confirmed CAN were enrolled in this study along with another 50 renal transplant recipients with normal graft function. The DNA extracted from whole blood of the patients was amplified with PCR with sequence-specific primers for determining TGF-beta1 genotypes (position +869, codon 10 and position +915, codon 25). According to documented descriptions, the patients were classified into high and moderate-to-low cytokine production genotypes. The distribution frequencies of high production genotypes was then compared between CAN and non-CAN groups. To eliminate interference in the analysis of the association between TGF-beta1 polymorphism and CAN, other possible risk factors for CAN were screened, including the patients' gender, age, HLA match, delayed graft function, acute rejection, immunosuppressive regimen, cytomegalovirus infection, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

RESULTSCAN patients showed significantly greater proportion of high cytokine production genotype than the non-CAN group [70% (35/50) vs 38% (19/50), Chi(2)=10.306, P=0.001). Of the screened risk factors for CAN, only acute rejection showed some difference between the two groups, but analysis after subgrouping according to acute rejection did not suggest its influence on CAN, which supports the result that the rate of high production genotype was significantly higher in CAN group than in the non-CAN group.

CONCLUSIONMost CAN patients have high TGF-beta1 production genotype, which might be a risk factor for CAN after renal transplantation. TGF-beta1 genotyping can be of value in predicting the risk of CAN after renal transplantation.

Adult ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Graft Rejection ; genetics ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; genetics ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo study the value of detection of both preoperative soluble CD30 (sCD30) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) level 5 days after transplantation in the diagnosis of acute rejection of renal allograft.

METHODSPreoperative serum sCD30 levels and HGF level 5 days after transplantation were determined in 65 renal-transplant recipients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The recipients were divided according to the sCD30 levels positivity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the value of HGF level on day 5 posttransplantation for diagnosis of acute renal allograft rejection, and the value of combined assay of the sCD30 and HGF levels was also estimated.

RESULTSAfter transplantation, 26 recipients developed graft rejection and 39 had uneventful recovery without rejection. With the cut-off value of sCD30 of 120 U/ml, the positivity rate of sCD30 was significantly higher in recipients with graft rejection than in those without (61.5% vs 17.9%, P<0.05). Recipients with acute rejection showed also significantly higher HGF levels on day 5 posttransplantation than those without rejection (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis indicated that HGF levels on day 5 posttransplantation was a good marker for diagnosis of acute renal allograft rejection, and at the cut-off value of 90 ug/L, the diagnostic sensitivity was 84.6% and specificity 76.9%. Evaluation of both the sCD30 and HGF levels significantly enhanced the diagnostic accuracy of acute graft rejection.

CONCLUSIONCombined assay of serum sCD30 and HGF levels offers a useful means for diagnosis of acute renal allograft rejection.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Graft Rejection ; blood ; diagnosis ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; blood ; Humans ; Ki-1 Antigen ; blood ; Kidney Transplantation ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transplantation, Homologous

Objective To summarize the experience of long-term survival in patients after simulta- neous kidney-pancreas transplantation(SKPT)with modified enteric drainage(ED).Methods From October 2001 to July 2004,6 patients with end-stage renal disease due to Type 1 diabetes underwent SKPT with modified ED,ie,side-to-side anastomosis between the duodenum of donors and jejunum of recipients. The medication regimen included:mycophenolic acid 500 mg and tacrolimus 2 mg before operation;methyl- prednisolone(MP)1.0 during operation;and 2-dose anti-IL-2 receptor monoclonal antibody(2 cases)or antihuman thymocyte globulin(ATG)(4 cases)for immune induction therapy;MP was used on the first 3 d after transplantation,triple immunosuppressive therapy(tacrotimus,mycophenolic acid and prednisone)was used on the second d after transplantation.Anticoagulants such as low molecular heparin or alprostadil were used for 7-10 d to prevent thrombosis in pancreas graft.Somatostatin was used as prophylaxis for graft pan- creatitis.Ganciclovir was used to prevent cytomegalovirus infection when renal graft gradually recovered 3 to 5 d after transplantation.The follow-up was from 1 year and 3 months to 4 years and 1 month.Results Transplantation was successful in all 6 cases.The blood sugar levels were 6-16 mmol/L.Low-dose insulin was used for 5-10 d,then the blood sugar levels returned to normal range.One of 6 patients experienced nephrotoxicity because of high tacrolimus blood concentration at 7 d after operation;after 3 dialyses and re- duction of tacrolimus dose,the renal allograft regained normal function.Three cases experienced alimentary tract hemorrhage at 14,20 and 22 d,respectively,after operation;the bleeding was stopped after treatment. There were no complications such as pancreatic fistula,intestinal fistula and thrombosis early after operation. All the patients are now alive,specifically,1 survived over 4 years,3 over 3 years,1 over 2 years,and 1 over 1 year.All had normal blood sugar free of insulin use.Five cases had normal renal graft function,with normal sCr,and 1 had sCr＞400?mol/L. Two cases were admitted to hospital due to upper respiratory infection and furuncles in the skin of head 6 months and 2 years,respectively,after operation.They were both cured.No complications such as urinary infection,metabolic acidosis and dehydration occurred.Conclusions SKPT is effective for the treatment of end-stage renal disease due to Type 1 diabetes.SKPT with modified ED are relatively simple with physiological compatibility and fewer complications.High quality of donated organs, HLA matching,pancreatic drainage pattern,rational periopcrative medications and infection late after trans- plantation are important factors affecting the long-term survival of the patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequency and clinical phenotypes of 22q11.2 microdeletion in patients with non-syndromic tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).

METHODSSix-eight non-syndromic TOF patients (38 males and 30 females, aged 0-11 years) were selected and evaluated by history, physical examination and review of medical records. After informed consent was obtained, peripheral blood was drawn for genomic DNA extraction. Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion was screened by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Suspected cases were confirmed with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Data was analyzed with SPSS 11.5 software. Phenotype-genotype correlations were assessed using Fisher's exact test. P values less than 0.05 on a 2-sided test were considered to be significant.

RESULTSSix-eight non-syndromic TOF children were screened for a 22q11.2 deletion, among which 59 (86.8%) presented pulmonary stenosis (PS) and 9 (13.2%) presented pulmonary atresia (PA). Seven patients (10.3%) were found to have carried a deletion. Among these, four had TOF-PS, three had TOF-PA. The frequency of 22q11.2 deletion in patients with TOF-PA (3/9, 33.3%) is much higher than that of TOF-PS (4/59, 6.80%) (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION22q11.2 microdeletion is present in approximately 10.3% of patients with non-syndromic TOF. The deletion tends to have a higher prevalence in patients with TOF-PA. 22q11.2 deletion should be screened in non-syndromic TOF children and genetic counselling may be provided.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; Phenotype ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; diagnosis ; genetics