Objective To measure the setup errors of patients with esophageal carcinoma during the treatment of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), and to analyze the impact of setup errors on dose distribution of GTV,CTV and normal tissues around. Methods Forty-two patients with esophageal cancer treated by 3DCRT were included. The setup errors of each patient were measured once a week for 6 times by electronic portal imaging device (EPID). The setup errors were integrated into the treatment plan-ning system by moving the isocenter. Then the dose distribution of GTV, CTV and normal tissues were recal-culated. Results The systematic setup errors of the 42 patients were - 2.31 mm, - 0.55 mm and - 0.16 mm, and the random errors were 4.42 mm, 4.35 mm and 4.48 mm in the directions of lef-fight, anterior-posterior,and superior-inferior, respectively. The dose covered 95% GTV( D95 ) was reduced by 32 cGy and by 88 cGy for CTV D95. The lung V20 in the original plan and the integrated plan was 22.49% and 22.02%, respectively. The average dose of the heart in the two plans was 2077.62 cGy and 2036.23 cGy, respectively. In the original plan, no patient had maximum dose of spinal cord over 4500 cGy; While in the intergrated plan there were 18 patients had the spinal cord dose more than 4500 cGy, with a maximum dose of 5503.90 cGy. Conclusions The setup errors cause significant dose reduction of GTV and CTV, but not of the lung and heart . The maximum dose of the spinal cord may exceed 4500 cGy due to the setup errors.

OBJECTIVETo assess the preventive effect of sodium valproate on early posttraumatic seizures in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.

METHODSThe retrospective study was based on 159 patients with TBI treated at Department of Neurosurgery, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Command enrolled between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. The in-hospital section of the retrospectively collected database includes information on age, sex, initial Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), results of CT scanning, operation, usage of sodium valproate, seizures in the first week after injury and outcome.

RESULTSSeven patients (4.4%) showed early posttraumatic seizures. Although the incidence was zero in patients who received sodium valproate treatment, the difference between the treatment and control groups was not statistically significant. Of the 87 severe TBI patients (GCS 3-8), 6 patients in the control group (6.9%) suffered from early seizures during the first week after TBI and no patient who received preventive therapy suffered from seizures. The difference between the treatment and the control groups was still not statistically significant. Of the 72 mild and moderate TBI patients (GCS 9-15), only 1 patient in the control group suffered from seizures and no patient in the treatment group suffered.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough the results suggest that the study is not sufficiently powerful to detect a clinically important difference in the seizure rates between the treatment and control groups, sodium valproate is effective in decreasing the risk of early posttraumatic seizures in severe TBI patients. Further prospective studies are recommended.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; Epilepsy, Post-Traumatic ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Valproic Acid ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo establish a new culture method to induce the differentiation of embryonic pancreatic cells into mature endocrine cells.

METHODSMouse embryos at day 12.5 were used and embryonic pancreata were isolated. The isolated embryonic pancreata were cultured on the filter for 7 days, which floated in the dish containing medium. During culture, the expression of pancreas duodenum homeobox-1 (PDX-1), a pancreatic stem cell marker, was examined at day 1. The expression of neurogenin 3 (Ngn3), a pancreatic progenitor cell marker, was examined at day 3. The expressions of endocrine and exocrine markers, insulin, glucagon, and carboxypeptidase (CPA) were examined at day 7 by immunohistochemistry. The kinetics of pancreatic marker expression during culture was assayed by real-time PCR.

RESULTSMany pancreatic stem cells still existed in embryonic pancreata cultured for 1 day; meanwhile, these pancreatic stem cells proliferated in high rate. A large amount of pancreatic progenitor cells were found in embryonic pancreata cultured for 3 days.Pancreatic stem/progenitor cells differentiated into mature endocrine and exocrine cells in embryonic pancreata after having been cultured for 7 days. Furthermore, the expression pattern of pancreatic marker is consistent with that in vivo.

CONCLUSIONWe successfully established a new culture method, with which embryonic pancreatic cells can efficiently differentiate into mature endocrine cell.

Animals ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Endocrine Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Pancreas ; cytology ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of denture base resin surface pretreatment with chemical etchants on microleakage and bond strength between silicone-based resilient liner and denture base resin. The initial bending strength of denture base resin after surface pretreatment was also examined.

METHODSThirty-six polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base resin blocks (30 mm × 30 mm × 2 mm) were prepared and divided into three groups: group acetone, group methyl methy acrylate (MMA) and group control. Subsequently, a 2 mm silicone-based resilient liner was applied between every two blocks. After 5000 cycles in the thermal cycler (5 and 55°C), they were immersed in the (131) I solution for 24 hours and γ-ray counts were measured. Another 36 PMMA resin blocks (30 mm × 10 mm × 7.5 mm) were prepared. The blocks were divided into three groups and treated as mentioned above. A 3 mm silicone-based resilient liner was applied between every two blocks. After 5000 thermal cycles, tensile bond strength of the sample was measured in a universal testing machine. Another 18 PMMA resin blocks (65 mm × 10 mm × 3.3 mm) were prepared. They were divided into 3 groups and treated in the same way. After an adhesive was applied, the bending strength was measured with three-piont bending test.

RESULTSTwo experimental groups showed lower microleakage (520.0 ± 562.2 and 493.5 ± 447.9) and higher tensile bond strength [(1.5 ± 0.4) and (1.4 ± 0.5) MPa] than the group control [microleakage: (1369.5 ± 590.2); tensile bond strength: (0.9 ± 0.2) MPa, P < 0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference between group acetone and MMA in microleakage and tensile bond strength (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in bending strength among the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTreating the denture base resin surface with acetone and MMA decreased the microleakage, increased the tensile bond strength between the two materials and did not make the initial bending strength of denture base resin decline.

Dental Bonding ; Dental Cements ; Dental Materials ; Denture Bases ; Denture Liners ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; Humans ; Materials Testing ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Silicone Elastomers ; Silicones ; Surface Properties ; Tensile Strength

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the meaning of the mutation screening, prevalence, inheritance and the intervention or the prevention for the specific drugs in 10 families with non-syndrome hearing loss in Yunnan Province, China. METHOD: To do a questionnaire about the cases of ten families with non-syndrome hearing loss and to draw a detailed matriarchal family tree detailed. Following that, the A1555G mutation-positive individuals were detected and confirmed using DNA extracting, PCR amplification and sequencing for family volunteer. RESULT: There are 96 members have attended the blood collection in these ten families. Thirty-six of them had the normal hearing and 60 of them had the sensory neural hearing loss. However, 4 out of those had no A1555G point mutation, and 92 had A1555G point mutation (95.8%). While 7 of those were Heterogeneity, the rest were all homogeneous mutation. There were also 73 patients who had amino glycoside antibiotic medication history. However all the rest cases had a history of amino glycoside antibiotic medication were not clear yet. CONCLUSION The proportion of patients with drug-induced deafness is high in Yunnan province and the mutation rate of mitochondrial DNA A1555G is also high. It is worthy to do DNA 12SrRNA A1555G mutation screening for drug intervention and prevention.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Deafness ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Point Mutation ; RNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; Young Adult

Hypertrichosis refers to increased vellus hair growth and is independent to androgen excess. The acquired localized hypertrichosis (ALH) is one of the typical hypertrichosis, which mainly results from chronic irritation, inflammation, friction, and occlusion by plaster of Paris. Here, we report a young boy who had ALH on his right hand following a closed fracture with internal fixation and plaster cast application. The case is unusual because the hairy area is limited to the operative region of internal fixation. We suggest that the local vascular changes and skin inflammation induced by internal fixation and plaster cast application may be associated with ALH.
Calcium Sulfate ; Casts, Surgical ; Fractures, Closed ; Friction ; Hair ; Hand ; Hyperemia ; Hypertrichosis ; Inflammation ; Internal Fixators ; Skin

Hypertrichosis refers to increased vellus hair growth and is independent to androgen excess. The acquired localized hypertrichosis (ALH) is one of the typical hypertrichosis, which mainly results from chronic irritation, inflammation, friction, and occlusion by plaster of Paris. Here, we report a young boy who had ALH on his right hand following a closed fracture with internal fixation and plaster cast application. The case is unusual because the hairy area is limited to the operative region of internal fixation. We suggest that the local vascular changes and skin inflammation induced by internal fixation and plaster cast application may be associated with ALH.
Calcium Sulfate ; Casts, Surgical ; Fractures, Closed ; Friction ; Hair ; Hand ; Hyperemia ; Hypertrichosis ; Inflammation ; Internal Fixators ; Skin

OBJECTIVETo describe the epidemiological characteristics of overweight and obesity among people aged 18 and over in Guangdong province in 2002, and to identify the populations and regions under high risk.

METHODSCross-sectional survey was used through sampling on multi-stage randomized clusters. Data of socialeconomic status were collected by face-to-face interview. Data on weight and height was obtained through physical check-ups.

RESULTSA sample size of 15 130 people and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.03 +/- 3.38 with no significant difference between males and females. However the significant difference was seen between cities and rural areas. The crude prevalence rate of overweight and obesity were 16.8% and 1.8%, and the age-adjusted rate were 15.0% and 1.7%, respectively. The crude rate of overweight in cities (24.8%) and males (17.5%) were higher than that in rural areas (9.4%) and females (16.2%). The crude rate of obesity in cities was seen higher than that in the rural areas, but not significantly different between females and males. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the major risk factors influencing overweight would include household income, age, gender, smoking habits, physical exercises and location of residence.

CONCLUSIONAbout one sixth of the citizens in Guangdong province were considered to be overweighted and obesive had become an important public health problem. Integrated measures must be taken for prevention and control.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Mass Index ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sampling Studies ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of different pneumoperitoneal media on colon carcinoma LS-174T cell proliferation in vitro.

METHODSThe artificial pneumoperitoneum was established. The proliferation of LS-174T cells was detected by MTT assay and soft agar clone formation assay. Expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF was examined by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis of LS-174T cells was analyzed by AO/EB double fluorescein stain and flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe growth speed and proliferating capacity of LS-174T cells in CO(2) pneumoperitoneum group[A:0.37 +/- 0.02,formation (32.8 +/- 3.6)%] were significantly higher than those in control group [A:0.33 +/- 0.01,formation (28.4 +/- 2.3)%] and He group [A:0.30 +/- 0.01,formation (23.5 +/- 2.7)%], meanwhile the He group was the lowest (P<0.01). Positive expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF in CO(2) and He artificial pneumoperitoneum up-regulated significantly as compared to control group(P<0.01), meanwhile the above expression was higher in CO(2) group (P<0.01). The G(0 )/G(1) ratio in CO(2) group was the lowest as compared to control group and He group (P<0.01), and G(0 )/G(1) ratio in He group was higher than that of control group(P<0.01). Aapoptosis rate in He group was the highest as compared with the other two groups(P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONCO(2) pneumoperitoneum has stronger effect on the proliferation of colon carcinoma cell LS-174T as compared to He pneumoperitoneum in vitro.

Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial ; methods

OBJECTIVETo describe the early experiences with rFVIIa in the management of bleeding after cardiovascular surgery.

METHODSFrom May 2006 through December 2007, 16 patients received rFVIIa during or after surgery despite conventional medical therapy and transfusion of blood products. There were 15 male patients and 1 female patients, aged from 36 to 77 years old with a mean of 52 years old. The surgical procedures include aortic procedures for 8 cases, valve replacement for 6 cases, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for 1 case and atrial septal defect repair for 1 case. The data of these patients were reviewed and the safety and efficacy of rFVIIa after cardiovascular surgery were evaluated.

RESULTSrFVIIa was administered as a first dose of 27.6 to 54.5 microg/kg with a mean of 40.2 microg/kg. Six patients achieved hemostasis after the first dose. Nine patients received a second administration within 30 min, with a cumulative dose of 59.3 to 90.9 microg/kg, a mean of 80.3 microg/kg. Eight patients achieved hemostasis and 1 patient went to exploration. One patient received four doses of rFVIIa with a cumulative dose of 203.4 microg/kg and the bleeding stopped. Mean amount of chest drain loss and the amount of red blood cell, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, and platelet transfusions decreased significantly after rFVIIa administration. The total amount of chest drain losses, transfusions of red blood cell and cryoprecipitate within 12 h postoperatively was positively correlated with the time from the end of bypass to administration of rFVIIa. No thromboembolic complications and other adverse reactions were noted.

CONCLUSIONSThe use of rFVIIa is associated with reduced blood loss, rapid improvement of coagulation variables, and decreased need for blood products. rFVIIa is safe and efficacious in the management of refractory postcardiotomy bleeding.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures ; Coagulants ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Factor VIIa ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; drug therapy ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies