Objective: To analyze the clinical effect of traditionaldog-days acupoint application and Magic Acupuncture Patch (Manji) in the prevention and treatment of chronic bronchitis (CB) in remission stage in the past five years, and explore the principle of action and effective stimulation, to provide the evidence for treating CB by acupoint application. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 405 patients with CB who met the inclusion criteria. All patients were treated with dog-days acupoint application or Magic Acupuncture Patch between 2013 and 2017. The clinical data of 405 patients were statistically analyzed to compare the prevention and treatment effects of dog-days acupoint application and Magic Acupuncture Patch, and different degrees of stimulation of dog-days acupoint application. Results: Among the dog-days acupoint application groups, the total effective rate was 63.6％ in the light stimulation group, 93.1％ in the moderate stimulation group, and 94.8％ in the strong stimulation group. The differences in the total effective rate between the light stimulation group and the moderate stimulation group, as well as the strong stimulation group, were statistically significant (both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total effective rate between the moderate stimulation group and the strong stimulation group (P>0.05). The total effective rate was 83.9％ in the dog-days acupoint application group, versus 45.4％ in the Magic Acupuncture Patch group, and there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The efficacy of dog-days acupoint application in the prevention and treatment of CB is better than that of Magic Acupuncture Patch; the degree of stimulation is the basis for the effect of dog-days acupoint application on prevention and treatment of CB, and the moderate and strong stimulations are more appropriate.

Comparative pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis is often carried out throughout the entire period of drug development, the common approach for the assessment of pharmacokinetics between different treatments requires that the individual PK parameters, which employs estimation of 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of average parameters, such as AUC and Cmax, these 90% confidence intervals then need to be compared with the pre-specified equivalent interval, and last we determine whether the two treatments are equivalent. Unfortunately in many clinical circumstances, some or even all of the individuals can only be sparsely sampled, making the individual evaluation difficult by the conventional non-compartmental analysis. In such cases, nonlinear mixed effect model (NONMEM) could be applied to analyze the sparse data. In this article, we simulated a sparsely sampling design trial based on the dense sampling data from a truly comparative PK study. The sparse data were analyzed with NONMEM method, and the original dense data were analyzed with non-compartment analysis. Although the trial design and analysis methods are different, the 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of PK parameters based on 1000 Bootstrap are very similar, indicated that the analysis based on NONMEM is a reliable method to treat with the sparse data in the comparative pharmacokinetic study.
Area Under Curve ; Confidence Intervals ; Humans ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Pharmacokinetics ; Sampling Studies

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bcl-2 siRNA on bcl-2 gene expression and apoptosis of lymphoma cell line CA46. A siRNA was designed and synthesized. Then siRNA was transfected into CA46 cells by cationic liposome. At 48 hours after transfection, apoptosis and mitochondria transmembrane potential of CA46 cells were detected by flow cytometry, the expression of bcl-2 mRNA and BCL-2 protein in CA46 cells were detected by RT-PCR and flow cytometry respectively. The results showed that at 48 hours after transfection, apoptosis of CA46 cells occurred, mitochondria transmembrane potential changed. The expression of bcl-2 mRNA and BCL-2 protein in CA46 cells decreased significantly. In conclusion, bcl-2 siRNA depresses the expression of bcl-2 gene in CA46 cells specifically, then changes the mitochondria transmembrane potential, resulting in apoptosis of CA46 cells.
Apoptosis ; genetics ; Burkitt Lymphoma ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Genes, bcl-2 ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and refraction parameters in myopia. METHODS: Two thousand two hundred and seventy-four patients (4245 eyes) with different degrees of myopia were collected. Their BCVA, diopter of spherical (DS), diopter of cylinder (DC), astigmatism axis, axial length (AL) and corneal thickness were detected. The influence of those parameters on BCVA was studied and the mathematical model of the relationship between BCVA and other parameters including the age and gender of patients was established. RESULTS: The logistic regression analysis showed that there were correlations between the BCVA (y) and DS (x1), DC (x2), gender (x3), AL (x4), corneal thickness (x5), astigmatism axis (x6) and age (x7) (P<0.05): y=0.580 6-0.034 0 x1-0.046 8 x2+0.056 5 x3+0.016 5 x4+ 0.0007 x5+0.000 2 x6-0.005 8 x7. CONCLUSION For people with myopia, age, gender and corneal thickness have small effect on BCVA, while the DS, DC, AL and astigmatism axis have significant effect on BCVA. The BCVA would decline following the extension of DS, DC and AL. It is helpful to assess the vision of myopia by analyzing the refraction parameters comprehensively.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Cornea/pathology* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Theoretical ; Myopia/physiopathology* ; Refraction, Ocular/physiology* ; Refractometry ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Fields/physiology* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mRNA expression profiles of megakaryocytes (MKs) from human cord blood CD34+ cells ex vivo expanded using Solexa technique.

METHODSCD34+ Cells were isolated using density gradient centrifugation and magnetic activated cell sorting. Cultures were stimulated with recombinant human thrombopoietin (100 ng/ml). After 12 days, the MKs fraction was separated from the non-MKs fraction using an anti-CD41 monoclonal antibody by immunomagnetic sorting. The mRNA expression of MKs and non-MKs was detected by Solexa sequencing.

RESULTSWe obtained 3 773 147 and 3 533 805 Tags from MKs and non-MKs, respectively. The amounts of unambiguous tags were 3 291 132 and 2 967 947 and those of distinct tags were 197 769 and 245 318. The expression of 1161 genes was up-regulated and that of 902 genes down-regulated. The expression of 2717 tags was up-regulated and that of 1519 tags down-regulated.

CONCLUSIONSMKs and non-MKs have remarkably different mRNA expression profiles. The differential gene-encoded products may be involved in cellular development, adhesion, apoptosis metabolism, intra- and intercellular signal transduction, and immune response. Further studies on this topic may clarify the expression mechanism, signal transduction, and regulation mechanisms.

Antigens, CD34 ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transcriptome

Albuminuria ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use

AIMTo investigate the mechanism of protective effect of SOD (superoxide dismutase) on damage of RBCs stored at 4 degrees C, the studies of erythrocyte glucose and energy metabolism were performed.

METHODSwhole blood collected from healthy donors and stored at 4 degrees C in ACD, GMA and SOD solutions. Before and post storage, some parameters were assayed. Standard methods were used for the in vitro tests. The 24-hour in vivo recoveries were measured by FTTC (Fluorescein 5-isothiocyanate) from SIGMA Company.

RESULTSAll parameters of red blood cell glucolysis rate without oxygen condition, ATP, PK (pyruvic kinase) and 24 h recoveries level were 86.2%, 56.4%, 64.3% and 86.2% of normal respectively stored in SOD solution at 4 degrees C for 75 days, distinctly more than in ACD and GMA groups at 75 days stored. The 24 h recovery at 75d in group SOD was near the recovery at 42d in group GMA.

CONCLUSIONWhole blood in SOD solution can be stored satisfactorily for 75 days at 4 degrees C, and furnished theoretical evidence for RBCs survival.

Animals ; Blood Preservation ; methods ; Erythrocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Rabbits ; Refrigeration ; Superoxide Dismutase ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prognostic factors and the principles of treatment of primary esophageal small cell carcinoma (SCEC) retrospectively.

METHODSThe data of 126 patients with histologically confirmed SCEC treated in our department between May 1985 and June 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. 85 patients were in limited disease stage (LD) and 41 patients as extensive disease stage (ED) according to the Veterans Administration Lung Study Group staging system. Among the 84 patients treated with esophagectomy, 8 cases were in stage I, 16 in stage IIa, 10 in stage IIb, 40 in stage III, 4 in stage IVa and 6 in stage IVb, according to the TNM system (6(th) edition, AJCC). Cox's hazard regression model was used to identify the prognostic factors, and Chi-square test to detect the difference of frequencies among different groups. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods were used to estimate and compare the survival rates.

RESULTSThe median follow-up duration of this series was 13 months. One hundred and eight patients died of the disease during the follow-up, 10 were still alive and 8 were lost to follow-up. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates (OS) were 52.2%, 15.9%, and 12.2%, respectively, with a median survival time (MST) of 12.5 months. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS were 62.1%, 30.8%, and 22.4% with a MST of 14.0 months for LD, and 29.3%, 13.6% and 2.7% with a MST of 7.0 months for ED, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in OS between LD and ED (P = 0.0001). The MST of the patients treated with chemotherapy was 14.5 months, significantly longer than the 5.2 months of the patients without (P = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that stage (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.26 approximately 2.91, P = 0.002), length of the primary lesion (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.17 approximately 2.63, P = 0.007), and chemotherapy (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.28 approximately 0.65, P = 0.000) were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONEsophageal small cell carcinoma is a systemic disease. The tumor stage (LD or ED), length of the primary lesion and chemotherapy are independent prognostic factors. Therefore, a systemic therapy based on chemotherapy should be recommended.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; pathology ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVESTo identify serologic markers that may indicate the early presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and analyze their significance in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSHepatitis B x antigen (HBxAg) positive and negative HepG2 cells were subjected to PCR select cDNA subtraction to identify differentially expressed genes that may precede the development of HCC. These included the up-regulated genes URG4, URG7, URG11, and VEGFR3, and the down-regulated gene, Sui1. Specific ELISAs were constructed to measure differentially expressed antigens and their corresponding antibodies to determine whether they had prognostic and/or diagnostic value. The study population consisted of 730 people. Among them, 416 were HBsAg(-) and 298 were HBV carriers with chronic liver disease and/or HCC. In addition, 16 patients had non-viral hepatitis. Among these, serial serum samples from 53 HBsAg(+) patients with cirrhosis were collected and studied.

RESULTSAntibodies to multiple differentially regulated genes were detectable in serum samples from patients with HBV associated cirrhosis and HCC, but not in serum samples from uninfected individuals (P < 0.01). Antibodies were undetectable in serum samples from HBV patients without liver disease and in serum samples from patients with other tumor types, and among those with non viral hepatitis. Among patients at high risk of developing HCC, these antibodies were found to be independent of nationality and ethnicity. Statistical analysis of the 28 HBsAg(+) patients with HCC showed that anti-URG11 and anti-VEGFR3 were the most frequently detected antibodies. These antibodies were found to coexist in 16 (P < 0.05). In contrast, among the 25 HBsAg(+) patients without HCC, anti-Sui1 and anti-URG7 were the most prevalent antibodies. These antibodies coexisted in 11 (P < 0.05). In addition, HCC patients with four or more antibodies detected before the appearance of HCC had a poorer survival outcome.

CONCLUSIONThese antibodies can be detected in serum samples several months to several years before the appearance of HCC. This suggests that they may be preneoplastic markers that may help to distinguish which HBV carriers with cirrhosis are most likely to progress and develop HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; virology ; Female ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

Individual identification by measuring the human skeleton is an important research in the field of forensic anthropology. Computed tomography （CT） technology can provide high-resolution image of skeleton. Skeleton image can be reformed by software in the post-processing workstation. Different skeleton measurement indexes of anthropology, such as diameter, angle, area and volume, can be measured on section and reformative images. Measurement process is barely affected by human factors. This paper reviews the literatures at home and abroad about the application of measuring skeleton by CT in forensic anthropology research for individual identification in four aspects, including sex determination, height infer, facial soft tissue thickness measurement and age estimation. The major technology and the application of CT in forensic anthropology research are compared and discussed, respectively.
Age Determination by Skeleton ; Bone and Bones/diagnostic imaging* ; Forensic Anthropology/trends* ; Humans ; Sex Determination Analysis ; Software ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods*