The study was aimed to explore clinical result of cyclosporin A (CsA) and androgens for treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with refractory anemia. Four cases of MDS-RA were treated with CsA and androgens, while the changes of blood counts, bone marrow and chromosome were observed. The results showed that substantial hematological response was observed in all four patients, that their anemia improved and all transfusion-dependent patients achieved transfusion independence. In conclusion, CsA and Adr therapy was well tolerated. CsA and Adr therapy offer an alternative treatment of MDS with RA. The mechanisms of the benifical effect from this therapy remain the subject of an ongoing study.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Androgens ; therapeutic use ; Blood Cell Count ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; blood ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of microRNA-21(miR-21) in ovarian epithelial carcinoma and its association with the clinicopathological features.

METHODSThe expression of miR-21 was detected by Stem-loop real-time RT-PCR in 48 cases of ovarian epithelial carcinomas, 24 cases of benign ovarian epithelial tumors and 15 cases of normal ovarian tissues.

RESULTSThe relative expression level of miR-21(2-(DeltaDelta)CT) was 4.849-/+1.813 in the ovarian epithelial carcinomas, significantly higher than that in the benign ovarian tumors and normal ovarian tissues (P<0.01), but comparable between the latter two groups. The expression of miR-21 was not correlated to the histological type, but increased significantly with the progression of the clinical stages and histological grading (P<0.01), showing a close correlation to lymphatic metastasis.

CONCLUSIONMiR-21 might play a role as an oncogene in the tumorigenesis and development of ovarian epithelial carcinoma, and is possibly correlated to the progression and prognosis of ovarian epithelial carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the fibrogenetic effects induced by rush-mat dust in rats.

METHODSSD rats were treated with 50 mg of rush-mat dust per rat by intra-tracheal instillation, sacrificed 3, 6, and 12 months respectively after exposure. The lung tissue and lung lymph-node were taken out for pathological and electron microscopic examination. The content of collagen and ceruloplasmin (CP) in lung tissues were also determined.

RESULTSAfter treatment for 12 months, fresh wet lung weight in rush-mat dust group [(2.69 +/- 0.22) g] was higher than those in saline group [(1.87 +/- 0.25) g], TiO(2) group [(2.25 +/- 0.26) g], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(11.41 +/- 1.63) g]; dry lung weight in rush-mat dust group [(0.47 +/- 0.03) g] was higher than those in saline group [(0.32 +/- 0.03) g], TiO(2) group [(0.41 +/- 0.08) g], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(2.06 +/- 0.28) g]; lung collagen content in rush-mat dust group [(103.08 +/- 14.79) mg] was higher than those in saline group [(75.96 +/- 13.91) mg, TiO(2) group [(85.84 +/- 17.62) mg], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(497.50 +/- 100.80) mg]; CP content in rush-mat dust group [(18.03 +/- 1.87) U/L] was higher than those in saline group [(15.05 +/- 2.24) U/L], TiO(2) group [(16.92 +/- 1.67) U/L], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(25.37 +/- 3.58) U/L], P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Pathological examination showed lung macrophage alveolitis, broadening of alveolar interval, one to two grade of silicotic nodes and increased amount of type II epithelial cell in alveolar as well as slight collagenous fibrosis in lung tissue of rush-mat dust group. Under electron microscope, primary and secondary lysosome and medullary sheath-like phagocytic residual body were found in lung tissue of rush-mat dust group, meanwhile the amount of type II alveolar epithelial cell and collagen fiber were slightly increased but these changes were less than those of quartz group.

CONCLUSIONThe rush-mat dusts have slight pulmonary fibrogenetic effect on rat.

Animals ; Ceruloplasmin ; analysis ; Dust ; Environmental Pollutants ; toxicity ; Fibrillar Collagens ; analysis ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity ; Titanium ; toxicity

The objective of this study was to explore the incidence and therapeutic efficacy of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The clinical data of 140 patients undergoing allo-HSCT in our department of hematology from 2010-01 to 2012-01 were retrospectively analyzed. The results showed that the incidence of CMV infection was 4.3% (48/140), the time for the first detection of positive CMV-DNA was at day 45 (33 to 68) after allo-HSCT, and the CMV quantitative range was 1.25×10(3) - 5.5×10(6). There were 2 cases of CMV-related interstitial pneumonia and 5 cases of hemorrhagic bladder inflammation. A total of 65 patients suffered from graft versus host disease (GVHD), in which 32 cases (49.2%) were accompanied with CMV infection, CMV-DNA negative in patients treated with ganciclovir, foscarnet sodium anti-CMV was at day 45 (33 to 68) with the effective rate of 100%. 12 patients with CMV infection were accompanied with transient neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. It is concluded that after allo-HSCT the CMV infection occurs frequently. The patients with GVHD have a higher incidence of CMV infection. Ganciclovir and foscarnet sodium are reliable to be used for treatment of CMV infection with fewer adverse reactions.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Foscarnet ; therapeutic use ; Ganciclovir ; therapeutic use ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe neonatal ventral hippocampal lesion (NVHL) rat model has been proposed as an experimental model for schizophrenia. NVHL rats display impaired central nervous system (CNS) inhibition, which may lead to a phenomenon similar to P50 sensory gating deficits observed in schizophrenic patients. In this study, we investigated whether sensory gating deficits occurred in the NVHL rat as a model for schizophrenia.

METHODSWe created the NVHL rat model using ibotenate. The P20 and N40 were measured to assess sensory response and gating in NVHL and sham rats. Epidural electrodes recorded evoked potentials (EPs), from which latencies, amplitudes, difference scores (S1-S2), and gating ratios (S2/S1) were assessed.

RESULTSCompared with sham controls, prolonged S1 N40 latency and decreased S2 N40 amplitude were detected in the NVHL group. In neither difference scores nor gating ratios, a significant difference was found between NVHL group and sham controls.

CONCLUSIONSNVHL rats may be a valid animal model for schizophrenia. This strategy will be useful in future neurobiological studies investigating the etiology of schizophrenia.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Central Nervous System ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory ; drug effects ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Ibotenic Acid ; toxicity ; Rats ; Schizophrenia ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Sensory Gating ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo systematically observe the clinical effect on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the stable stage, differentiated as cold phlegm blocking the lung type, treated with acupoint sticking therapy during the dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice so as to propose the latest clinical idea and theoretic evidence for the treatment of COPD.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty cases of COPD at stable stage, which were in accordance with the inclusive standard were randomly divided into three groups, named group A (treatment in dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice), group B (treatment in dog days) and group C (treatment in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice), 50 cases in each group. The ingredients (Semen Brassicae, Euphoribia Kansui, Asarum, Rhizome Corydalis, Cinnamon, ginger juice) and doses of herbal medicine plaster were same in each group. The herbal plaster was applied to Feishu (BL 13), Shenshu (BL 23), Dazhui (GV 14), Tiantu (CV 22), Danzhong (CV 17) and Zhongfu (LU 1). In group B, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each dog-day period, totally 3 treatments were included. In group C, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each nine-day periods after the winter solstice, totally, 3 treatments were involved. In group A, the treatment was given once on the 1st day of each dog-day period and each nine-day periods after the winter solstice separately, totally 6 treatments were required. The therapeutic effect was evaluated in 4 aspects, named comprehensive clinical efficacy, survival quality (the scores for symptoms, activity limitation and influence on daily life), the attach frequency and pulmonary function.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 88.0% (46/50) in group A, which was superior to 76.0% (38/50) in group B and 70.0% (35/50) in group C separately (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). The results of the attack frequency, clinical symptom score and pulmonary function indices after treatment were all improved apparently as compared with those before treatment in each group (all P < 0.01). All the above indices in group A were improved much apparently as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). Except for the level of forced vital capacity (FVC), the results of clinical symptom score and the other pulmonary function indices in group B were all improved significantly as compared with group C (P < 0.05, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONAcupoint sticking therapy during different season of the year achieves a superior clinical efficacy for the patients with COPD at stable stage. This therapy can reduce the attack frequency and improve the survival quality and pulmonary function for the patients. It is concluded that the efficacy of the treatment in dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice is superior to simple dog-day treatment and the treatment in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice, and the efficacy of dog days treatment is better than that in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucus ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Seasons ; Vital Capacity

BACKGROUNDFew characteristic changes of linear electroencephalograph (EEG) have been reported in schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in temporal-spatial dimensional properties of EEG under different cognitive tasks in patients with schizophrenia.

METHODSEEG was recorded by using EEG-1518K system and mapping system (Nihon Kohden Tomioka Corporation, Japan) in 45 schizophrenic patients and 47 healthy adults (normal control, NC) under five states: eyes closed, eyes open, mental arithmetic test with eyes closed, memory test with eyes open, and number cancellation test. Correlation dimension (D2) and point-wise correlation dimension (PD2) were calculated for all EEG analyses.

RESULTS(1) There were no significant differences of D2 and PD2 between NC and schizophrenic patients under states of eyes open and closed. (2) Compared with NC, schizophrenic patients showed decreased performance of D2 in mental arithmetic test with eyes closed and number cancellation test (mental arithmetic test with eyes closed: Nc 5.9 ± 0.6, Sch 3.0 ± 0.8; number cancellation test: Nc 6.0 ± 0.6, Sch 4.4 ± 0.7; P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (3) Schizophrenic patients also showed decrease performance of PD2 in mental arithmetic test with eyes closed, memory test with eyes open, and number cancellation test (mental arithmetic test with eyes closed: Nc 6.9 ± 0.7, Sch 4.0 ± 0.8; memory test with eyes open: Nc 6.6 ± 0.8, Sch 5.0 ± 0.9; number cancellation test: Nc 7.1 ± 0.7, Sch 4.8 ± 0.9; P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNonlinear dynamic analysis provided a new approach in clinical investigation of EEG signals. It was helpful to further understand the cerebral mechanism in schizophrenic cognitive process.

Adult ; Cognition ; physiology ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nonlinear Dynamics ; Schizophrenia ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts on repeated common cold for the adults with different constitutions treated by acupoint application in the dog days (the three periods of the hottest days) and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice (the three periods of the coldest days).

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-two cases of repeated common cold were divided into four zones according to the body constitution. Each zone was sub-divided into a group of the dog days + the three nine-day periods of the coldest days (group A), and a simple group of the dog periods (group B). In both groups, Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Tiantu (CV 22), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhongfu (LU 1) and Shenshu (BL 23) were selected. In group A, the acupoint application was given on the 1st or 2nd day of the first, second and third periods of the hottest days in 2010, as well as the 1st or 2nd day of the first, second and third periods of the coldest days in 2010 separately. In group B, the acupoint application was only given on the 1st or 2nd day of the first, second and third periods of the hottest days in 2010. The follow-up visit was conducted before the acupoint application in the three periods of the coldest days in 2010 and before the acupoint application in the three periods of the hottest days in 2011. Additionally, the frequency of disease attack and the symptom score in sickness were taken as the observation indices for the efficacy assessment in both groups.

RESULTS(1) In both groups, the attack frequency was reduced obviously in half a year after the three periods of the hottest days for the patients of qi deficiency constitution, yang deficiency constitution and qi stagnation constitution and the clinical symptom score were reduced apparently (all P<0.01), which were superior to those for the patients of phlegm damp constitution (P<0.01, P<0.05). For the patients of phlegm damp constitution, only the clinical symptom score was reduced (P<0.01). (2) In group A, the improvements were received in the attack frequency and the clinical symptom score in half a year after the three periods of the coldest days for the patients of those four constitutions as compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01). In group B, the attack frequency and the clinical symptom score were all back to the level as those before treatment. (3) In group A, in half a year after the three periods of the coldest days, the efficacy for reducing the attack frequency and the improvements in the clinical symptoms were better than those in group B (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint application in the dog days and the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice reduces the attack frequency and relieves the clinical symptoms of common cold for the adults of individual constitutions to different extents. The efficacy can be further improved in the treatment with the acupoint application in the three nine-day periods after the winter solstice half a year after the acupoint application in the dog days.

Acupuncture Points ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Common Cold ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the effects of asbestos exposure on plasma miRNA expression.Methods Plasma samples were collected from control group and asbestos -exposed group (time of exposure >10 years)and three samples from each group were selected to detect differentially expressed miRNA using LC Sciences miRNA Microarray -Single.The target genes of differential miRNA were predicted by three kinds of online software,Target Scan,miRanda and PicTar.GO term enrichment and KEGG pathways were analyzed.Results The results of microarray indicated that there were 40 differential miRNA expression between exposed and control groups(P <0.05),and the signal value of 9 differential miRNA exceeded 500.After analyzing signal pathways of target genes of 5 miRNA,of which the signal values were over 500,these target genes were found mainly involved in pathways associated with cancer and metabolism,including potential function targets of FAS,TP53 and FGFR3.Conclusion Asbestos exposure can result in differentially expressed miRNA in the plasma from workers occupationally exposed to asbestos and the target genes of these miRNA may play important roles in the pathways of cancer.However,the mechanism of these miRNA in asbestos -related diseases needs to be further studied in the future.

Background: Esophageal cancer is associated with substantial disease burden in China, and data on the economic burden are fundamental for setting priorities in cancer interventions. The medical expenditure for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer in China has not been fully quantified. This study aimed to examine the medical expenditure of Chinese patients with esophageal cancer and the associated trends. Methods: From 2012 to 2014, a hospital-based multicenter retrospective survey was conducted in 37 hospitals in 13 provinces/municipalities across China as a part of the Cancer Screening Program of Urban China. For each esophageal cancer patient diagnosed between 2002 and 2011, clinical information and expense data were extracted by using structured questionnaires. All expense data were reported in Chinese Yuan (CNY; 1 CNY= 0.155 USD) based on the 2011 value and inflated using the year-specific health care consumer price index for China. Results: A total of 14,967 esophageal cancer patients were included in the analysis. It was estimated that the overall average expenditure per patient was 38,666 CNY, and an average annual increase of 6.27％ was observed from 2002 (25,111 CNY) to 2011 (46,124 CNY). The average expenditures were 34,460 CNY for stage Ⅰ, 39,302 CNY for stage Ⅱ, 40,353 CNY for stage Ⅲ, and 37,432 CNY for stage IV diseases (P < 0.01). The expenditure also differed by the therapy type, which was 38,492 CNY for surgery, 27,933 CNY for radiotherapy, and 27,805 CNY for chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Drugs contributed to 45.02％ of the overall expenditure. Conclusions: These conservative estimates suggested that medical expenditures for esophageal cancer in China substantially increased in the last 10 years, treatment for early-stage esophageal cancer costs less than that for advanced cases, and spending on drugs continued to account for a considerable proportion of the overall expenditure.