Objective To investigate the risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).Methods From January 2012 to January 2013,29 patients with histopathologically confirmed NPC who received radiotherapy alone or concurrent chemoradiotherapy were included in this study.All patients underwent hearing tests,including pure tone audiometry and acoustic immittance measurement,before and after the IMRT.The cochlear doses for each ear were also collected for analysis.A prospective analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between cochlear dose and SNHL in patients with NPC,and the effects of other factors,including time after radiotherapy,chemotherapy,T stage,and age,were also analyzed.Results Of the 58 ears studied,6(10％) had low-frequency SNHL,and 17 (29％) had highfrequency SNHL.There were significant differences in mean cochlear doses between the patients who developed SNHL after radiotherapy and those who did not (left ears:46.1 Gy vs.35.5 Gy,P =0.006;right ears:45.0 Gy vs.35.8 Gy,P =0.009).When the mean cochlear dose was less than 44 Gy,only 15％ (6/38) of ears had high-frequency SNHL.The invasion of skull base bone was also a significant risk factor for SNHL(P =0.047),but age,chemotherapy,and time after IMRT were not significant risk factors.Conclusions The mean cochlear dose and invasion of skull base bone are significant risk factors for SNHL in patients with NPC after radiotherapy.It is recommended that the mean cochlear dose should be limited to 44 Gy to minimize the incidence of SNHL after IMRT.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the function of the salivary glands with gustatory stimulation by using MR DWI.MethodsA prospective study was conducted in 30 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who had normal salivary function.A DWI sequence was performed on the salivary glands at resting state,and continually repeated on the parotid immediately after oral ascorbic acid stimulation over a period of 21 minutes (once every 18 seconds).The multiple b-values (0,400,600,800,1000 s/mm2) were used.ADC maps were evaluated with a manually placed region of interest including the entire salivary gland.The ADC of each gland was obtained by taking the mean of values on three contiguous sections containing the largest areas of the gland.The paired two-tailed Student t test was used to compare the ADC values of the parotid and the submandibular glands at rest,and of the parotid before and after stimulation.ResultsThe mean ADC value at rest was significantly lower in the parotid [ (1.23 ±0.12) × 10-3 mm2/s] than in the submandibular glands [(1.34 ± 0.07 ) × 10 -3 mm2/s,t =4.545,P ＜ 0.01 ].After acid stimulation,the ADC value increased from the baseline to (1.41 ±0.19) × 10-3 mm2/s firstly and then fluctuated at the following time,with a peak value of ( 1.49 ± 0.20 )× 10 -3 mm2/s and the average value of ( 1.36 ±0.17) × 10-3 mm2/s.The average value was significantly different from the baseline value (t =15.127,t =11.905,P ＜ 0.01 ).The minimum value [ ( 1.24 ± 0.14) × 10-3 mm2/s] was not significantly different compared to the baseline value (t =1.329,P ＞ 0.05 ).ConclusionMR DW1 can noninvasively evaluate the physiologic changes of salivary glands before and after acid stimulation.

Background and purpose:Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) can be used for MR imaging systemic examination, especially the lymph node and bone diseases can be clear, and the imaging result is similar with PET. The aim of this study was to compare the value of clinical application in the diagnosis of malignant metastatic osteopathic between DWIBS and bone scintigraphy mapping. Methods:Thirty-six specimens conifrmed with malignant tumors by the pathology of operation or biopsy underwent both DWIBS imaging and bone scintigraphy mapping, chi-square test was used for comparing the detection results of bone metastasis by this two imaging methods. Results:Thirty (165 positions in all) of 36 malignant tumor patients were conifrmed as having bone metastasis, compared that 26 patients (143 positions) with DWIBS method and 23 patients (132 positions) with bone scintigraphy mapping were detected, but there was no statistical signiifcance between this two imaging methods (χ2=1.002, P=0.506). The sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV) and accuracy of the detection rate of bone metastasis were similar in DWIBS and bone scintigraphy, with 86.7%, 96.3%, 86.1%and 76.7%, 88.5%, 72.2%, respectively;but the speciifcity and negative predictive value (NPV) in DWIBS (83.3%and 55.6%) was higher than that of in bone scintigraphy (50.0%and 30.0%). The detection rates of different bone metastasis with DWIBS and bone scintigraphy were 86.7%(143/165) and 80.0%(132/165), and it was no signiifcant difference (χ2=2.640, P=0.104);DWIBS method was better than bone scintigraphy in the detection of osseous metastasis on pelvis and limbs long bone, and there was different signiifcant (χ2=6.783 and 7.636, P=0.023 and 0.016). Conclusion:DWIBS could detect bone metastatic lesions effectively, and there is ifne consistency with bone scintigraphy. Therefore, DWIBS is to hope to be extended and applicated clinically.

Objective To investigate the value of magnetic resonance sialography (MRS) as a noninvasive tool in evaluating major salivary gland function before and after radiotherapy (RT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.Methods From August 2009 to June 2010,patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱa (AJCC/UICC 2002) nasopharyngeal carcinoma were enrolled.All the patients were treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy alone.MRS with salivary stimulation was performed in patients before and after RT on a 3.0T MR scanner.An MRS categorical scoring system was used to compare the visibility of ducts pre-RT and post-RT.The relationship between MRS score and EORTC Core QOL and EORTC Head and Neck QOL was analyzed.Spearman rank correlation test was performed to analyze the non-stimulated and stimulated MRS findings and the clinical severity of xerostomia.Results All 10 enrolled patients completed planned treatment.The mean dose of the parotid glands and submandibular glands were (37.99 + 3.70) Gy and (55.65 + 2.99) Gy,respectively.Good-quality MRS images were obtained.The visibility scores of both the parotid and submandibular ducts were increased after secretion stimulation.Irradiation decreased the visualization of the salivary ducts and attenuated the response to secretion stimulation.There were specific correlations between post-RT secretion response of the parotid gland and EORTC QLQ scales ( global QOL scale in QLQ-C30 ( rs =0.636,P =0.048 ) and xerostomia scale in QLQ H&N35 ( rs =- 0.694,P =0.026) ).Conclusions MRS can be used as a non-invasive way to evaluated of the functional changes of major salivary glands before and after RT and as a promising approach for investigating radiation-induced xerostomia.

OBJECTIVETo express and purify the HIV p24 gene in E. coli cells, and identify p24 antigen activity.

METHODSThe full length gene fragment of HIV p24 was amplified by PCR and inserted into the pRSET vector in order to construct the pRSET-p24 recombined vector. After transforming into E. coil, the purified p24 protein was prepared by metal-ligand affinity chromatography (IMAC). The accuracy of inserted gene and activity, specificity of HIV p24 proteins were detected by two enzymes digestion technology, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot (WB) and ELISA.

RESULTSThe length of the HIV p24 gene fragment was 690 bp after digesting the recombinant plasmid T-p24 and pRSET-p24 with BamH I and Hind III. The expressed proteins had a single expected band of about 24 x 10(3) in SDS-PAGE. The specificity and activity of p24 protein were tested by WB and ELISA.

CONCLUSIONThe HIV p24 sequence from HIV-1 gene plasmid hasbeen expressed in E. coil. This protein possessed good specificity and activity.

Blotting, Western ; Chromatography, Affinity ; Cloning, Molecular ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; HIV Core Protein p24 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recombinant Proteins ; isolation & purification ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo construct and express anti-human RBC and HIVgp160 fusion protein for rapid detection of antibody to HIV.

METHODSThe gene of the anti human RBC ScFv and HIV antigen were constructed together into expression vector. The fusion protein was expressed in E. coli.

RESULTSThe fusion protein was proved to be able to bind both anti-RBC and HIVgp160. It could cause agglutination of human RBC when HIVgp160 was present.

CONCLUSIONThe fusion protein has the potential in rapid detection of HIV.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Autoantibodies ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Cloning, Molecular ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Erythrocytes ; immunology ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; HIV Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; HIV Envelope Protein gp160 ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; HIV Seropositivity ; blood ; Hemagglutination Tests ; methods ; Humans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDTo evaluate an enzyme linked immunospot (ELISPOT) method for testing the specific cellular immunity of patients with hepatitis B and preliminarily investigate into the difference of cellular immunity in patients with various types of hepatitis B.

METHODSThe patients with acute hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis B liver cirrhosis, healthy persons with HBV vaccine immunization, healthy persons with past HBV infection and HBV naive persons were enrolled in this study. Their peripheral blood mononuclear cells were tested by ELISPOT to determine the number of gamma-interferon secreting cells.

RESULTSThe number of gamma-interferon secreting cells was significantly different between the patients with acute hepatitis B and those with chronic hepatitis B, and between the patients with acute hepatitis B and those with liver cirrhosis (P=0.0209 and P=0.0211).

CONCLUSIONThe specific cellular immunity in the patients with hepatitis B could be evaluated by determining the number of gamma-interferon secreting cells with the method of testing their peripheral blood mononuclear cells by ELISPOT. The specific cellular immunity was stronger in the patients with acute hepatitis B than in those with chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; immunology

Objective:To compare the fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMS) and multiple plastic stents (MPS) in the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness for benign bile duct strictures.Methods:A single-center retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 107 patients with benign biliary strictures who underwent FCSEMS or MPS implantation through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in Hangzhou First People's Hospital from January 2013 to June 2019.There were 54 cases in group FCSEMS and 53 cases in group MPS. Benign biliary stricture was confirmed by computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic ultrasonography. The primary index was the rate of stricture remission, and the secondary indices were the incidence of stricture recurrence, ERCP-related complications, the rate of stent migration, hospital stay and charges.Results:The median follow-up times were 10.0 (6.5, 18.0) months and 12.0 (9.0, 20.0) months in group FCSEMS and in group MPS respectively ( P>0.05). The rates of stricture remission in the two groups were 87.0% (47/54) and 83.0% (44/53), the incidences of stricture recurrence were 14.6% (6/41) and 23.5% (8/34), and the incidences of ERCP-related complications were 14.8% (8/54) and 11.9% (13/109), respectively. And the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). But the stent migration rates of the two groups were 22.9% (11/54) and 2.8% (3/109) with significant difference ( P<0.001). Cost-effectiveness analysis showed that the median numbers of ERCP intervention in the two groups were 2 (2,2) times and 3 (2,4) times ( P<0.001), and the median hospital stays were 6.0 (4.0,11.0) days and 9.0 (6.5,16.0) days respectively ( P=0.009). The median hospitalization expenses of the two groups were 44 646 yuan and 51 355 yuan without significant difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The effectiveness, safety and cost of FCSEMS for benign bile duct stenosis are similar to those of MPS, but it reduces ERCP intervention and treatment cycles. Even with a certain migration rate, it can still be a first-line treatment approach.

OBJECTIVETo study the response of specific antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV in patients infected with SARS.

METHODSIgM-capture, indirect and antigen-sandwiched enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the SARS-CoV specific IgM, IgG and total antibodies in sera of clinical SARS patients or non-SARS individuals.

RESULTSThe positive rates of IgM, IgG and total antibodies to SARS-CoV in 146 sera of SARS patients collected in different phases of the disease were 61.64%, 53.43% and 69.86%, respectively. The earliest detectable days after onset of the disease for IgM and IgG to SRAS-CoV were 7 and 12 days, respectively. The specific IgM disappeared as early as 42 days after the onset of SARS. Of 70 sera from hepatitis A patients, 2 showed false positive results, while 127 sera from other patients were all negative, detected by the 3 methods. Serum from one medical worker who had been close contact to SARS patients was positive for anti-SARS-CoV IgG and total antibodies. These 3 methods used for detection were all not influenced by rheumatoid factor (RF).

CONCLUSIONAll of the three methods were specific and sensitive for the detection of specific antibodies to SARS-CoV, and useful for epidemiological research and clinical diagnosis, but not for early diagnosis of SARS.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Male ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents contained in ethanol extracts from aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia.

METHODThe compounds were separated and purified with various chromatographic techniques, and their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.

RESULTFifteen compounds were separated from ethyl acetate fraction of 90% ethanolic extract and identified as rhamnetin (1), isorhamnetin (2), quercetin (3), luteolin (4), tricin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), 8-(2"-pyrrolidinone-5"-yl) -quercetin (6), 5, -2', 6'-trihydroxy-7, 8-dimethoxyflavone-2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), succinic acid (8), fumaric acid (9), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (10), 4-hydroxy isophthalic acid (11), 3, 4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (12), esculetin (13), isowedelolactone (14) and uracil (15), respectively.

CONCLUSIONAll compounds except compound 3 were separated from this genus for the first time.

Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis