OBJECTIVETo evaluate mid-term clinical results of microendoscopic discectomy (MED) for the treatment of lumbar disc hermiation.

METHODSIn the study, 117 patients were reviewed,including 63 male and 54 female, ranging in age from 24 to 72 years,with an average of 50.6 years. Among the patients, 60 patients had simple lumbar disc herniation, 10 patients had simple lateral crypt stenosis, 32 patients had lumbar disc herniation combined with lateral crypt stenosis, and 15 patients were combined with calcified nucleus pulposus. Two patients had herniation in L3-L4, 56 patients in L4-L5, 48 patients in L5-S1, 11 patients in L4-L5 and L5-S1. The central type of lumbar disc herniation occurred in 22 patients and the lateral type of herniation occurred in other 95 patients. The Protrusion type of herniation occurred in 32 discs, ruptured type in 73 discs, and free type in 12 discs. Ninety-eight patients had lumbar and leg pain in one side, and 19 patients in double sides. MED was used to remove the nucleus and decompress the nerve root canal.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up and the duration ranged from 48 to 84 months,with an average of 5.5 years. According to lumbar and leg pain evaluation criteria from spinal group of Chinese Orthopaedic Association, there were 93 patients got an excellent result, 16 good and 8 poor.

CONCLUSIONAppropriate control indications and skillful surgical techniques are the key points to decrease the complication and to improve the curative effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Diskectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDThe presence of residual tumor after surgery for pituitary adenoma may necessitate further treatment. The suprasellar and parasellar extension of the tumor have been widely considered as the predictors for residual tumor. However there is scarcity of studies regarding the preoperative tumor volume and residual tumor. This study was conducted to evaluate if tumor volume could predict the outcome of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.

METHODSA prospective study was designed and 48 patients who underwent transsphenoidal pituitary surgery within 1 year in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University were included in this study. The preoperative tumor volume and immediate postoperative tumor volume (within 4 - 7 days) were calculated in the contrast magnetic resonance imaging by using the formula of ellipsoid. All these volumes were divided into three subgroups, i.e. group 1, group 2 and group 3 with preoperative volume of less than 4 cm(3), 4 - 8 cm(3), and more than 8 cm(3) respectively. The parasellar and suprasellar extension of the tumor were also classified by Knosp and modified Hardy's classifications.

RESULTSBaseline characteristics were comparable. The preoperative tumor volume of more than 8 cm(3) (group 3, (12.1 ± 1.1) cm(3)) had increased risk on postoperative tumor residue (P < 0.01) than the other two groups ((2.1 ± 0.3) cm(3) and (6.1 ± 0.3) cm(3) in groups 1 and 2). The mean postoperative volume in group 3 patients ((2.2 ± 0.1) cm(3)) was significantly higher than the other two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPreoperative volume of more than 8 cm(3) can be considered as a predictor for postoperative residual volume.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Gland ; pathology ; surgery ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Burden ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo validate transient elastography (Fibroscan) in assessment of hepatic fibrosis in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).

METHODSLiver stiffness was assessed using Fibroscan in totally 30 patients with AIH. We compared the results of Fibroscan with the Scheuer fibrosis stage in liver biopsy in each patient.

RESULTS4 patients were shown as liver fibrosis stage S0, 6 as S1, 5 as S2, 11 as S3 and 4 as S4. Failure of the Fibroscan measurement occurred in 1 case (3.3%) because of her increased body mass index (BMI). The stiffness of Fibroscan was significantly correlated with the liver biopsy fibrosis stage (r = 0.801, P less than 0.001). The liver stiffnesses between mild and moderate fibrosis (S0-2) and advanced fibrosis (S3-4) were significantly different (t = -3.937, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONTransient elastography (Fibroscan) is a promising non-invasive method for detection of fibrosis in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Its use for the follow up and management of these patients and should be evaluated further.

Elasticity Imaging Techniques ; methods ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo discuss the early diagnostic methods and therapeutic principles of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy objectively.

METHODSUsing neuro-imaging examinations combined with case history and clinical symptoms to make the early diagnosis of 96 case with aneurysmal SAH, and Guglielmi detachable microcoil (GDC) was utilized for early intracapsular embolization in the ruptured aneurysms. Efficient symptomatic treatment was done early after operation.

RESULTSAll of 96 cases were early diagnosed and successfully embolized; Among them, the aneurysmal lumen was 100% occluded in 83 cases, 95% in 8 cases, 90% in 5 cases. There were 3 cases complicating with aneurysms rupture during operation, 5 cases with cerebral vasospasm. One case was affected by microcoil terminal escape after operation, 3 recurrent cases were all cured with secondary GDC embolization. There were 9 complications associated with embolization techniques and 13 cases (13.5%) occurring permanent sequelae associated with SAH. According to the Glasgow prognosis score, 77 patients got grade I, 7 grade II, 6 grade III, 3 grade IV, and 3 grade V. The mortality rate was 3.1%.

CONCLUSIONSTo make early etiological diagnosis of the SAH patients, using GDC to embolize the aneurysms, and earlier efficient symptomatic treatment are important methods to improve the curative rate and reduce the mortality rate.

Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Angiography ; methods ; Early Diagnosis ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic value of serum angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) level in pancreatic cancer patients.

METHODSSerum Ang-2 level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in samples from 116 patients with pancreatic cancer, 50 patients with chronic pancreatitis, and 50 normal control subjects.

RESULTSThe serum Ang-2 level in patients with pancreatic cancer [(1539.0 ± 449.3) ng/L] was significantly higher than those in patients with pancreatitis [(1044.6 ± 246.1) ng/L, P < 0.01] and normal control subjects [(1075.6 ± 228.2) ng/L, P < 0.01]. There was no significant difference of serum Ang-2 levels between patients with pancreatitis and normal controls. Pancreatic caner patients with lymph node metastasis had a significantly higher serum Ang-2 level [(1890.1 ± 354.9) ng/L] than those without metastasis [(1212.1 ± 224.2) ng/L, P < 0.01]. The area under ROC curve of serum Ang-2 level for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was 0.819.

CONCLUSIONThe serum Ang-2 level can be a useful indicator for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiopoietin-2 ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Pancreatitis ; blood ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To localize the gene of autosomal dominant familial dilated cardiomyopathy with conduction defect. METHODS: A Chinese family which was diagnosed as dilated cardiomyopathy with conduction defect was studied. Venous blood (3 - 5 mL) from some family members was collected, and genomic DNA was extracted from the blood. Then whole genome wide scan was performed after excluding the known markers on the candidate loci (CMD1A, CMD1 E, CMD1F, and CMD1H) by two-point linkage analysis. RESULTS: No significant evidence for linkage was found in the two point linkage analyses to the known markers in the analyzed family. And the whole genome wide scan showed the maximum LOD score reached 2.68 at marker D3S1614 ( at recombination fraction theta = 0). CONCLUSION The related gene in this kindred is located on 3q26 other than on CMD1A, CMD1H, CMD1E, and CMD1F.
Adult ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; etiology ; genetics ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Linkage ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVE: To observe pathological changes and apoptosis in rats myocardial cells after Macleaya cordata total alkaloids poisoning, and to provide some references for Macleaya cordata total alkaloids poisoning detection. METHODS: An experimental model of Macleaya cordata total alkaloids poisoning was established, and the technology of TUNEL staining was used.The results were analyzed by computer image analysis competitive system. RESULTS: Quantities of apoptosis in myocardial cells in poisoning groups were much more than those in the control groups at different tages (P<0.01). In addition the quantities of apoptosis were different after different poisoning duration. CONCLUSION Although clinical symptoms was not obvious and could not be detected by poison analysis. Pathological changes induced by Macleaya cordata total alkaloids could be found through the apoptosis detection.
Acute Disease ; Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Count ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects* ; Papaveraceae/chemistry* ; Papaverine/poisoning* ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Staining and Labeling ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combination chemotherapy of capecitabine (X) with fractionated administration of cisplatin (C) in Chinese patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

METHODS141 patients with AGC were enrolled between July 2002 and August 2004. All patients had measurable tumor according to the criteria of RECIST, Karnofsky performance status > or = 60, adequate bone marrow, renal and hepatic functions. Prior radiotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy was not permitted. Patients received oral administration of capecitabine at a dose of 1000 mg/m(2) twice a day on D1-D14, and intravenous infusion of fractionated cisplatin at a dose of 20 mg/m(2)/day on D1-D5. The regimen was repeated every 3 weeks, totally for 6 cycles.

RESULTSOf the 141 evaluable patients, there were 104 men and 37 women, with a median age of 54 years (range, 23 - 80 years). Metastases before chemotherapy were detected in lymph nodes (46.8%), liver (40.4%), lung (5.7%) and other area (10.6%). The median treatment duration was 6 cycles (range, 3 - 6 cycles). The objective response rate (RR) was 36.2% (51/141). The median follow-up period was 17.5 months. The median time to progress (TTP) was 9.0 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 12.0 months. The most common treatment-related adverse events (grade 3/4) were: hand-foot syndrome (HFS) (2.1%), leucopenia (0.7%), abnormal alanine transaminase elevation (2.8%). There was no treatment-related death.

CONCLUSIONCapecitabine combined with fractionated cisplatin is highly effective and well tolerated as a first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer, with comparable results to 5-Fu plus cisplatin combination therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Capecitabine ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot Dermatoses ; chemically induced ; Hand Dermatoses ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Remission Induction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Vomiting ; chemically induced ; Young Adult

To study the epidemic characteristics of human rhinovirus (HRV) in children with acute respiratory infections in Gansu Province. 286 throat swabs were collected from children with acute respiratory in fections in Gansu Province during 2011. Multiplex reverse transcription-PCR (multiplex RT-PCR) assay was used to screen those specimens for detection of common respiratory tract pathogens. For HRV-positive samples, nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nested RT-PCR) was performed to amplify VP1 and VP4/VP2 gene fragments of HRV. The VP4/VP2 and VP1 regions of HRV-positive samples were sequenced and performed genotype analysis. Of 286 specimens fested, 27 were positive for HRV by multiplex RT-PCR and nested RT-PCR, of which 16 children were made (16/185), 8.64%) and 11 female (11/101,10.89%). The positive rate was 9.44% (27/286). The mean age of HRV-positive children was 3 years in this study, children less than one year old had the highest proportion 44.4% (12/ 27, 44.4%). The highest HRV positive rate fell on May, 2011 (6/27, 22.2%). Common cold accounted for the highest proportion, 12.24% (12/98) followed by pneumonia, 8.50% (13/153). The remaining 2 cases were bronchitis. Sequence analysis showed HRV A was the predominant genotype in Gansu Province in 2011, accounting for 84.62% (22/26) of positive cases, followed by HRV C (11.54%, 3/26) and only one HRV B was detected (3.85%, 1/26). HRV could be detected throughout the year in Gansu Province and primarily infected children under one year old. The group A was the epidemic genotype of HRV and move than one genotype existed in Gansu Province during 2011.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Picornaviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; virology ; Rhinovirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Seasons

Adenocarcinoma ; Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms