Objective To investigate the change of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor α1 subunit mRNA expression in nitroglycerin induced migraine rat model,thus suggesting the relationship between GABAA receptor and migraine.Methods Thirty adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group,migraine model group,sodium valproate-treated group,each of the last 2 groups was divided into the attacking group and intermission group.The model of migraine was established using Cristina method,once a week for 5 weeks.After the second injection,rats in sodium valproate-treated group were given sodium valproate(0.5 g/L,10 ml/kg) everyday,and those in control group and model group were given normal saline solution(10 ml/kg).After the fifth injection,at the second hour(attacking groups) or the fourth day(intermission groups and control group),reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression level of GABAA receptor α1 mRNA in brainstem and trigeminal ganglion.Results The expression level of GABAA receptor α1 mRNA in modeling attacking group(1.50 ±0.13) was higher than any other group(control group:1.01 ±0.24,modeling intermission group:1.04 ±0.10,sodium valproate-treated attacking group:0.99 ± 0.22,sodium valproate-treated intermission group:0.72 ± 0.03),and it was significantly higher than modeling intermission group(x2 =9.490,P =0.009).There was no statistical difference between modeling group and any other group,and compared with control group,there was no statistical difference in sodium valproate-treated attacking group or intermission group.Conclusion The pathogenesis of migraine may be related to the expression level of GABAA receptor α1 mRNA.

Objective:To investigate the competency of informed consent in new admitted schizophrenia pa-tients.Methods:Fifty-three patients who were consecutively admitted to the hospital and diagnosed as schizophrenia according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems,Tenth Revision (ICD-10)were recruited and assessed in seventy-two hours.The competence of informed consent was assessed by the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool-Treatment (MacCAT-T).The insight was assessed by the Insight and Treatment Attitude Questionnaire.The severity of illness was assessed by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS).Correlations between the competence of informed consent and the factors mentioned above were discussed.Results:Forty-five (84.9%)patients had lower MacCAT-T scores,especially the scores of understand-ing dimension (1.58 ±1.85)and appreciation dimension (2.40 ±1.47).The competence of informed consent was significantly correlated with insight (r =0.73,P <0.01)but not correlated with age,education,duration of illness and BPRS scores.Logistic regression demonstrated that insight (OR =0.69)was a protective factor of competence of informed consent while thought disturbance (OR =1.39)was a risk factor.As to the involuntary admitted pa-tients,34.1% of them had competence of informed consent.Conclusion:The competence of informed consent in new admitted schizophrenia patients is widely impaired especially in understanding and appreciation dimension.The competence of informed consent is correlated with insight and thought disturbance.Voluntary or involuntary hospi-talization does not reflect the level of competence of informed consent.

Objective To evaluate the lung V/Q imaging in the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).Methods Seventy-six patients (46 males,30 females,age 27-84 y) with clinically suspected CTEPH who had undergone lung V/Q imaging,CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA),pulmonary angiography (PA) and right heart cardiac catheterization were studied.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of lung V/Q imaging in detecting CTEPH were calculated and compared with those of CTPA.The x2 test was used for statistical analysis with SPSS 11.5.The distribution of involvement of segments in 47 patients with CTEPH was analyzed.Results Forty-seven patients had a final diagnosis of CTEPH and 29 had non-CTEPH etiology.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of lung V/Q imaging were 97.9％ (46/47),86.2％ (25/29),93.4％ (71/76),92.0％ (46/50) and 96.2％ (25/26),while those of CTPA were 78.7％ (37/47),93.1％ (27/29),84.2％ (64/76),94.9％ (37/39) and 73.0％ (27/37),respectively.The sensitivity (x2 =5.818,P=0.012) and negative predictive value (x2 =5.693,P =0.017) for lung V/Q imaging were significantly higher than those of CTPA.V/Q imaging could identify patients with CTEPH from those with idiopathic PAH and familial PAH based on the almost normal ventilation imaging.The lung perfusion SPECT imaging detected 585 (62.2％) of involved segments among 940 segments in 47 patients with CTEPH,with an average of 12.4 involved segments in each patient.The number of involved segments in the right lung was significantly higher than that in the left lung (36.2％ (340/940) vs 26.1％ (245/940) ; x2 =40.85,P＜0.01).Conclusions Lung V/Q imaging plays an important role in diagnosis of CTEPH and in identification of CTEPH from other types of PAH.A normal V/Q imaging can effectively exclude CTEPH.In addition,V/Q imaging can provide more diagnostic information in patients with a clinical suspicion of CTEPH who had negative results by CTPA and PA.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial occlusive disease is a kind of commonly seen peripheral arterial disease. Its pathogenesy and process of pathological change are still unclear. Most of its clinical symptoms are very severe and therapeutic effect is not very good.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of limb negative pressure on substance P (SP)-positive-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion of dogs with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.DESIGN: A randomized and controlled experimental trial.SETTING: Department of Anesthesiology, Shaanxi Provincial Corps Hospital, Chinese People's Armed Police Forces; Third Department of General Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the animal laboratory,Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA between April 2003 and May 2004. Totally 17 healthy hybrid dogs, of clean degree, weighing 12 to 18 kg, were enrolled in the experiment. After being numbered, they were randomly divided into 3 groups: treated group (n=10),non-treated group (n=5) and normal control group (n=2).METHODS: Left hindlimb ischemia models were created on the animals in the treated group. Fourteen days after modeling, the affected limbs were treated by negative pressure, once a day, 15 minutes once. Perfusion was given 10 days after negative pressure treatment. Segment L1-L5 spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion were dissected respectively. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to detect SP-positive- immunoreactive nerve fibers;In the non-treated group, treatment and detection of affected limbs were performed as those in the treated group, but negative pressure treatment was omitted. Ischemia model preparation and negative pressure treatment were not conducted in the normal control group, and only immunohistochemical staining was given.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in SP of sensory nerve fiber of spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion of dogs among 3 groups RESULTS: The dyeing of SP-positive-immunoactive nerve fibers of spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion at affected sides in non-treated group (mean gray scale value: 70.20 ±3.70,67.00 ±3.30 respectively )was significantly stronger than that in normal control group (20.00 ±2.80,35.50 ±6.40),while that in treated group (48.50±6.60,51.70±4.00) was weaker than that in non-treated group, but was still stronger than that in normal control group (all P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: The number of SP-positive-immunoactive nerve fibers of spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion following peripheral arterial occlusive disease is increased significantly, which might be a kind of self-protective mechanism of organism. Limb negative pressure can reduce the importation of nocuous stimulation and release limb pain following arterial occlusive disease of limbs.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of Stage Ⅱ nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) trea-ted by conventional fractionation radiotherapy. Methods From January 1990 to May 1999,216 patients with untreated stage Ⅱ NPC were irradiated by 6 MV photons and 9-12 MeV electrons with linear accelera-tor. Of 26 patients with residual lesions after 70 Gy irradiation, 18 received intracavitary brachytherapy and 8 received stereotactic irradiation boost. Results The 10-year overall survival (OS) of patients with T2 N0 M0, T1N1M0 and T2N1M0 disease were 90%, 80% and 75.2% (χ2 = 3.26, P =0. 200), respectively. The corresponding disease-free survival(DFS) and distant metastasis-free survival(DMFS) were 79% ,60% and 62.6% (χ2 = 5.87, P = 0.053) ;90% ,74% and 68.0% (χ2 = 7.09, P = 0. 030), respectively. In uni-variate analysis, T stage had no impact on OS, DFS or DMFS (χ2 = 0.44, P = 0. 500 ; χ2 = 0.44, P = 0.500 ; χ2 = 0.25, P = 0. 610), while N stage significantly influenced DFS and DM FS (χ2 = 5.86, P = 0. 015 ; χ2 = 5.31 ,P = 0. 021). Multivariate analysis showed that N stage was an independent prognostic factor for DFS and DMFS(χ2=5.03,P=0.025;χ2=6.47,P=0.01). Conclusions Stage Ⅱ NPCwithposifivelymph node treated by radiotherapy alone is inadequate. In order to improve DFS and DMS, combined chemo-radio-therapy should be considered.

Objective To investigate the clinical features,treatment outcome and prognosis of pa tients with nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC).Methods From March 1963 to August 2002, 33 patients with ACC were retrospectively reviewed.Among them,13 received multimedality therapy(S + R in 9 and R +S in 4) and the remaining 20 received radiotherapy alone.The interval between the first visit and clinical diagnosis was 12 months(1.0-36.4 months).The misdiagnosis rate was 55% (18/33),with the most common error of otitis media.The clinical symptoms of ACC were similar to those of squamous carcino ma in nasopharynx,though the cervical lymph node metastasis was rare(12%) and cranial nerve invasion was common (58%). ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 60.8 months (5.0-245.2 months),the 5-and 10-year overall survival rates,free-disease survival rates,local regional control rates and metastasis-free sur vival rates were 66% and 29% ,41% and 27% ,61% and 40% ,62% and 62% ,respectively.Among the 20 patients(61%) with recurrence,15 had local regional failure(13 in situ and 2 in cervical lymph node) ,and 9 had distant metastasis(5 in the lung,2 in the lung and bone,1 in the liver and I in the bone).Univariate analysis showed that clinical stage was a prognostic factor(Ⅰ + II vs Ⅲ + Ⅳ,P = 0.009),while treatment modality(radiotherapy alone vs multimodality therapy) was not. ConclusionsNasopharyngeal ACC is a locally aggressive disease with a long course.Either radiotherapy alone or muhimodality therapy(S + R/R + S) is effective in the treatment.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intensity-madulated radiotherapy(IMRT) as the primary treatment in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods Between November 2001 and March 2006,147 newly diagnosed NPC patients were treated with IMRT. The disease was Stage I in 3 patients, Stage Ⅱ in 35,Stage Ⅲ in 67 and Stage Ⅳ in 42. For T1-2 disease,the prescription dose was 70 Gy to the gross tumor volume( GTVnx) and positive neck nodes ,60 Gy to the planning target volume I, and 50-56 Gy to the clinically negative neck. For T3-4 disease,the prescription dose was 74-78 Gy to GTVnx. The local control rate(LC),overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Results The 3-year LC, OS, DFS and DMFS of the whole group were 93.2% ,93.5% ,72.6% and 74.4% ,respectively. T stage was a significant predictor of LC and OS. For patients with T1-2 and T3-4 disease,the LC was 100% and 86.9% (P=0.007) and OS was 95.5% and 91.3% (P=0.030), respectively. N stage was a significant predictor of OS, DFS and DMFS(P=0.03,0.004 and 0.0004,respectively). The grade Ⅰ+ Ⅱ and Ⅲ acute toxieities of parotid were 96.6% and 1.4%. The rate of grade Ⅱ xerostomia at 3-month, 6-month, 1-year and 2-year after radiotherapy were 43.0%, 12.0% ,4.9% and 3.2%. Conclusions The treatment results are promising according to our target definition and dose prescription protocol for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective To study the dynamic change of anatomy and dosimetry distribution and its influence during intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC). Methods From June 2006 to August 2007,12 patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ NPC receiving initial IMRT concurrently combined with chemotherapy were included in the study. The target volumes and,involving organs were contoured on the first set of spiral CT images. When IMRT planning was finished,a second CT scans was acquired to rectify the treatment center. Weekly spiral CT images acquired during the treatment period according to the same treatment center were fused with the first CT images. In order to determine the best time of replanning, modified plan target volume( PTV1 ) and normal organs( parotids and outline) were contoured on the fusion interface by a single physician. Changes of each structure throughout treatment period were measured by a system software. Then the dose distributions were computed and evaluated for replanning CT using the same beams arrangement in the original plan. Cumulative dose was estimated compared with the original plan. Results The volume of outlines and parotids decreased gradually, and the change came to peak in the fifth week. So the fifth and first week CT scans were selected as research objectives. No significant changes in maximal and mean dose was observed in the brainstem, spinal cord or mandible. Despite volume changes,D99 and D95 of the PTV1 did not change siguificantly(P＞0.05). D95 of the bilateral parotids increased significantly ( PL = 0.03,PR = 0.01 ). Conclusions During IMRT for NPC, the volume of PTV1, the outlines and parotids decrease,and the change come to peak in the fifth week. Comparing to the first treatment plan, the dose parameters of the parotids increase significantly in the second plan based on the fifth week CT,but those of the brainstem,cord,mandible and PTV1 change slightly.

Objective To evaluate the treatment results of the patients with nasopharyngeal mucoe-pidermoid carcinoma (MEC), and explore an appropriate treatment method. Methods Eleven patients with pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal MEC were included in this study. The number of patients with pathologically well-, medium-and poorly-differentiated tumor were 1, 2 and 7, respectively. Radiotherapy (RT) alone and surgery (S) alone were given to 1 patient each. Combined modality treatment was RT + S in 6 patients and S + RT in 3 patients. Results After a median follow-up of 41.5 months (range, 8 to 153 months), one patient died of heart disease and one was lost follow-up. The remaining 9 patients were alive, including 6 with disease-free and 3 with residual tumors. None of them had cervical lymphatic spread or dis-tant metastasis. Conclusions Nasopharyngeal MEC progresses slowly and has good prognosis, which should be followed up for a long time. Primary surgery followed by radiotherapy is recommended.

Objective To evaluate the dose distribution of the target volume and the cranial base in nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC ) treated with facial-cervical fields, and to analyze the differences of dose distribution using different isoeenters with the CT-simulator and treatment planning system (TPS). Methods Eleven patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated by conventional radiotherapy as their primary treatment. All patients were simulated by the conventional simulator and the field borders were marked with thin lead wires on the mask. Then the patients were scanned by the CT-sim with the same immobilization. The planning CT images were transferred to the TPS and the field borders were copied on the DRR, and then GTV and the cranial base were contoured on the coronal CT slices. Two isoeenters were chosen, including one in front of the 1 st cervical vertebra to measeure the depth of the nasopharynx and the other in front of the 3rd cervical vertebra to measure the depth of the upper neck. The prescription dose of 36 Gy was given in 18 fractions. Dose distributions of GTV and the cranial base were calculated with TPS. Results The actual dose of 95% volume of GTV was 33.31 -35.54 Gy (median 34.83 Gy) and 31.43 -33.36 Gy (median 32.44 Gy) when the isoeenters were set in the nasopharynx and the superior neck, respectively. The corre-sponding actual dose of 95% volume of the cranial base was 17.76 - 34.60 Gy ( median 30.28 Gy ) and 16.52 -32.60 Gy (median 28.52 Gy), respectively. Conclusions For NPC patients treated with conven-tional radiotherapy using facial-cervical fields, the actual dose of GTV and the cranial base is lower than the prescribed dose whenever the isocenter is set in the nasopharynx or the upper neck,which is more significant in the latter. The isocenter should be set in the nasopharynx when the conventional radiotherapy is applied and a boost of 4- 8 Gy should be given when the cranial base is involved.