OBJECTIVE To prevent occurrence of infection in clinical laboratory. METHODS The biosafety system was continuously improved and complet step by step and amplifed rules and regulation,done well protection of person,making the operating process of laboratory more norma,enforcing the air and environment,sterilizeing the equipment,detecting implement,disinfecting the used material and medical garbage and inspecting. RESULTS The hospital infection in laboratory was effectly controlled,the staff′s safety and health were addressd when they worked in an infected area of laboratory. CONCLUSIONS Amplifying the rules and regulation,and insisting the principle of work without slacking could effecttively prevent the occurring of hospital infection in clinical laboratory.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and diagnostic criteria of migraine in children.Methods The migraine cli-nical characteristics of patients that consistent with the chronic headache diagnostic criteria, excluding other diseases,were analyzed.ICHD-Ⅱ childhood migraine diagnostic criteria was used as gold standard to explore the migraine diagnostic criteria in children.Results 1.In 346 patients, 157 fitted ICHD-Ⅱchildhood migraine diagnostic criteria.2.Type of migraine: probable migraine was the most common(68.8%), the most commonly unfulfilled criterion was associated gastroenteritis symptoms; migraine without aura was the second (19.7%).3.The migraine diagnostic criteria: the most important single-variable was headache associated symptoms,with sensitivity of 70.7%,specificity of 83.6%,the positive predictive value(PPV) was 78.2%,positive likelihood ratio (PLR) was 4.31 and area under curve(AUC) was 0.771.The most important three-variables was headache duration of 1-72 hours, moderate-severe headache and headache associated symptoms, with the sensitivity of 52.2%,specificity of 96.2%,the PPV was 90.1%, the PLR was 13.7 and the AUC was 0. 657.Conclusions The most important single-variable is headache associated symptoms,the most important three-variables are headache duration 1-72 hours, moderate-severe headache and headache associated symptoms.

OBJECTIVETo explore the prevalence and characteristics of chronic headache in children and adolescents in Shanghai and to collect messages concerning the impact and compliance of medication for migraine.

METHODSA population-based questionnaire study was conducted among subjects 6 - 15 years of age sampled from primary and junior high schools in Shanghai and the subjects were followed up.

RESULTS(1) The prevalence: 8701 (88.6%) out of 9857 pupils responded to the questionnaire; 17% of the respondents had headache and in 86.4% of them the reason of headache was unknown. The prevalence of chronic headache in Shanghai children and adolescents was 7.8%, there was no significant difference between both genders (chi(2) = 0.010, P > 0.05). (2) The prevalence of chronic headache increased with age, the incidence was higher in boys before 12 years of age, while higher in girls after 12 years of age. (3) Characteristics of chronic headache: the proportion of unilateral, bilateral and headache of unknown site was similar; in most of the cases headache was localized in the temple (35.2%) and forehead region (25.6%), the duration of headache was short, always accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms. Half of the patients reported that the headache had affected their study and daily life. (4) The status of using health care facilities: 24% of the students sought medical assistance during their headache episodes and among them only 30.9% took medicine. (5) Over-fatigue (51.4%), followed by insufficient sleep (40.4%), emotional changes (38.5%) were the main aggravating factors. The headache was also associated with positive family history and stress in studying.

CONCLUSIONSHeadache is a common complaints of children, affecting the patients' study and daily life. But many patients with headache were not treated properly, therefore, the medical and educational sectors and the society should pay more attention to this problem.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Headache Disorders ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the predictive value of low dose volume of the lung on acute radiation pneumonitis (RP) in patients with esophageal cancer treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) only, and to analyze the relation of comprehensive parameters of the dose-volume V5, V20 and mean lung dose (MLD) with acute RP.

METHODSTwo hundred and twenty-two patients with esophageal cancer treated by 3D-CRT have been followed up. The V5-V30 and MLD were calculated from the dose-volume histogram system. The clinical factors and treatment parameters were collected and analyzed. The acute RP was evaluated according to the RTOG toxicity criteria.

RESULTSThe acute RP of grade 1, 2, 3 and 4 were observed in 68 (30.6%), 40 (18.0%), 8 (3.6%) and 1 (0.5%) cases, respectively. The univariate analysis of measurement data:The primary tumor length, radiation fields, MLD and lung V5-V30 had a significant relationship with the acute RP. The magnitude of the number of radiation fields, the volume of GTV, MLD and Lung V5-V30 had a significant difference in whether the ≥ grade 1 and ≥ grade 2 acute RP developed or not. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that MLD, Lung V5, V20 and V25 were independent risk factors of ≥ grade 1 acute RP, and the radiation fields, MLD and Lung V5 were independent risk factors of ≥ grade 2 acute RP. The ≥ grade 1 and ≥ grade 2 acute RP were significantly decreased when MLD less than 14 Gy, V5 and V20 were less than 60% and 28%,respectively. When the V20 ≤ 28%, the acute RP was significantly decreased in V5 ≤ 60% group. When the MLD was ≤ 14 Gy, the ≥ 1 grade acute RP was significantly decreased in the V5 ≤ 60% group. When the MLD was >14 Gy, the ≥ grade 2 acute RP was significantly decreased in the V5 ≤ 60% group.

CONCLUSIONSThe low dose volume of the lung is effective in predicting radiation pneumonitis in patients with esophageal cancer treated with 3D-CRT only. The comprehensive parameters combined with V5, V20 and MLD may increase the effect in predicting radiation pneumonitis.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; radiotherapy ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; radiation effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiation Pneumonitis ; etiology ; pathology ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies

INTRODUCTIONInstitutional febrile neutropenia (FN) management protocols were changed following the finding of a high prevalence of ceftazidime-resistant Gram-negative bacteraemia (CR-GNB) among haematology patients with FN. Piperacillin/tazobactam replaced ceftazidime as the initial empirical antibiotic of choice, whereas carbapenems were prescribed empirically for patients with recent extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae colonisation/infection. An audit was conducted to determine the impact of these changes.

METHODSData from all FN episodes between October 2008 and December 2010 were collected prospectively, with mid-November 2009 demarking the transition between pre-intervention and intervention periods. Outcomes measured included 30-day mortality post-development of FN and the presence of CR-GNB.

RESULTSThere were 427 FN episodes (200 in the pre-intervention period) from 225 patients. The prevalence of CRGNB was 10.3%, while the 30-day mortality was 4.7%, with no difference between pre-intervention and intervention periods. Independent risk factors for 30-day mortality included the presence of active haematological disease, vancomycin prescription and older age. Independent factors associated with initial CR-GNB were profound neutropenia, the presence of severe sepsis and active haematological disease. Recent ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae colonisation/infection was not predictive of subsequent CR-GNB (positive predictive value 17.3%), whereas a model based on independent risk factors had better negative predictive value (95.4%) but similarly poor positive predictive value (21.4%), despite higher sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONA change in the FN protocol did not result in improved outcomes. Nonetheless, the audit highlighted that empirical carbapenem prescription may be unnecessary in FN episodes without evidence of severe sepsis or septic shock, regardless of previous microbiology results.

Academic Medical Centers ; Adult ; Bacteremia ; complications ; drug therapy ; Carbapenems ; therapeutic use ; Ceftazidime ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Febrile Neutropenia ; complications ; drug therapy ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penicillanic Acid ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Piperacillin ; administration & dosage ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; Singapore ; Treatment Outcome ; Universities

Objective: The study presents a new method to prefabricate the nasoalveolar molding appliances for preoperative cleft lip and palate by using three-dimensional technology. Methods: A long term retrospective study of 40 cases of infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate who underwent the preoperative 3D models of alveolar bone acquisition, computer aided design for the rapid prototyping process, gypsum powder printing maxillary three-dimensional entity model and install the appliance for 3-4 months (or alveolar cleft<2 mm). Simultaneously, primary rhinoplasty can be done during cleft lip repair. All patients had clinic visits three times each month. Results: Deformities of infants who underwent this treatment, were significantly improved. The alveolar cleft was significantly reduced (P<0.01), while bilateral alveolar tissue volume was significantly increased (P<0.01). Alveolar bone morphology was more symmetrical than before. Conclusions The digital design and manufacture system of appliances for preoperative cleft lip and palate can be successfully applied to the preoperative orthodontic treatment. The sequence treatment of cleft lip and palate becomes better improved. It can shorten the time duration and the numbers of clinic visit on the basis of ensuring the accuracy of preoperative orthodontic effect.

AIM:To analyze the mechanism of tumor-associated macrophage (TAMs) in the development of cervical cancer and to investigate its correlation with Th1/Th2 and Th17/CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3 + Treg.METHODS:Twenty seven cases of cervical cancer and 53 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (including 22 cases of CIN Ⅱ and 31 cases of CIN Ⅲ) were selected as subjects.The venous blood of patients before treatment was extracted to detect Th1/Th2 and Th17/CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + Treg with flow cytometry,and detect serum IFN-γ,IL-4,IL-17A,IL-17F,TGF-β1 and IL-10 levels with ELISA Kits.Furthermore,pathological tissues were extracted during operation,and its TAMsCD68 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry technique.RESULTS:The Th1/Th2 and Th17/CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + Treg of cervical cancer were both lower than those of CIN Ⅲ,and those of CIN Ⅲ were both lower than CIN Ⅱ,the difference between groups had statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).The serum IFN-γ,IL-4,IL-17A,IL-17F,TGF-β1 and IL-10 levels of cervical cancer were all higher than those of CIN Ⅲ,and those of CIN Ⅲ were all higher than CIN Ⅱ,the difference between groups had statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).The TAMsCD68 expression level of cervical cancer was higher than that of CIN Ⅲ,and that of CIN Ⅲ was lower than CIN Ⅱ,the difference between groups had statistical significance (P ＜ 0.05).The correlation analysis results showed TAMsCD68 expression level had negative correlations with Th1/Th2,Th17/CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg,and serum IL-17A level,whereas presented positive correlations with serum IL-10 and IL-4 level (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION:TAMs is closely related with Th1/Th2 and Th17/CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + Treg in cervical cancer,and possibly is mediating the occurrence and development of cervical cancer through influencing the balance of these two systems.

INTRODUCTIONFebrile neutropenia (FN) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in oncology and haematology units worldwide. The overall mortality in hospital surveys in Singapore surveys on post-chemotherapy FN has ranged between 3.0% and 8.8%. However, recent evidence indicates that outpatient management of patients with low-risk FN is safe and cost-effective.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe conducted a prospective audit on a cohort of adult patients with post-chemotherapy FN seen at 2 local public sector cancer centres over a 1-year period in order to define their epidemiological characteristics and outcomes, and also to assess the uptake of early discharge/outpatient management strategies for these patients.

RESULTSWe reviewed 306 FN episodes from 248 patients. Patient characteristics and outcomes were similar between both institutions. Eleven (3.7%) FN episodes were managed as outpatient and none developed complications. Overall 30-day mortality was 6.6%, while the median length of stay (LOS) was 7 days (IQR: 4 to 11 days). The only independent risk factor for mortality was severe sepsis (OR:13.19; 95% CI: 1.98 to 87.7; P = 0.008). Factors independently associated with a longer LOS were vancomycin prescription (coefficient: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.41; P = 0.003), longer duration of intravenous antibiotics (coefficient: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.10; P <0.001), and prior review by an infectious diseases physician (coefficient: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.31; P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONThis audit demonstrated that mortality from FN in our 2 cancer centres is low and comparable to international institutions. It also demonstrates that outpatient management of FN is safe in selected patients, and can be further expanded for right-siting of resources.

Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Bacterial Infections ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Fever ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; epidemiology ; Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; Neutropenia ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Prospective Studies ; Singapore ; epidemiology

BACKGROUNDGastric varices (GV) are life-threatening for patients with portal hypertension. Endoscopic injection with butyl cyanoacrylate (BC), the mainstay of the therapy for GV, has been reported to be effective for hemostasis of bleeding varices, but its efficacy in the obliteration of GV and impact on the survival of patients still needs clarification. Here we summarized our experience of 10 years' practice to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic therapy using BC for GV patients.

METHODSFrom January 1997 to April 2006, GV cases treated with endoscopic injection using BC were collected. The "sandwich method" and the "modified sandwich method" were used to inject BC intravascularly. Retrograde analysis was made on the data of treatment and follow-up.

RESULTSA total of 635 GV cases treated with endoscopic injection using BC were collected, most of them (90.2%) suffered from post-hepatitis cirrhosis. Emergency hemostasis was achieved in 139 out of 146 sessions (95.2%). Complications occurred in 32 cases (5.2%), including hemorrhage due to early expulsion of tissue glue (3.1%), septicemia (1%) and ectopic thrombosis (0.5%), such as spleen infarction. Endoscopic follow-up in 503 patients showed complete disappearance (76.9%), collapse (17.3%) or remnants (5.8%) of gastric varices. A total of 550 patients were followed up clinically for 3 to 115 months. Of these patients, 44 had recurrent bleeding (8.0%) and 44 died from hepatic failure, recurrent bleeding, hepatic carcinoma or other causes. The longest survival was 115 months, with a median survival of 25 months. Survival rates at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 year were 95%, 92%, 90%, 83% and 81%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSEndoscopic sclerotherapy with BC is effective for the hemostasis of bleeding GV, as well as obliteration of GV which contributes to less rebleeding and better survival. The modified sandwich method may be useful to minimize ectopic embolism, which we speculated to result from excess iodized oil.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Enbucrilate ; therapeutic use ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; methods ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; mortality ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sclerotherapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Tissue Adhesives ; therapeutic use

This study aims to analyze the effect of berberine on serum inflammatory factors and carotid atherosclerotic plaques in ppatients with acute cerebral ischemic stroke(AIS). In the study, 120 patients with AIS were randomly divided into berberine group(n=60) and general group (n=60). The 60 cases in the general group were provided with general therapy according to the latest guidelines of diagnosis and treatment of AIS. The berberine group received berberine 300 mg(tid) in addition to the therapy of the general group. The levels of serum inflammatory factors, the nerve function defect grades and the indexes of carotid atherosclerosis plaques [including the total plaque area(TPA), intima-media thickness(IMT) and the number of unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques] were measured and compared. The results indicated that the levels of serum inflammatory factors, the NIHSS(national institute of health stroke scales) cores and the indexes of carotid atherosclerosis plaques were not significantly different between the berberine groups of general group, with positive correlation between serum inflammatory factors and NIHSS scores(P<0.05). The levels of serum inflammatory factors and NIHSS scores of the berberine groups on 14 d were significantly lower than those on 1 d(P<0.05). The levels of serum inflammatory factors and NIHSS scores of the berberine group on 14 d were significantly lower than those of the general group(P<0.05). The TPA and the number of unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques of the berberine groups on 90 d were significantly lower than those of general group, with significant differences(P<0.05). The IMT showed a downward trend, but with significant difference.The mRS(modified rankin scale) scores of the berberine group on 90 d were significantly lower, with a higher rate of short-term favorable prognosis (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. This study showed that berberine in addition to the general therapy can significantly lower the levels of serum MIF and IL-6, reduce the degree of carotid atherosclerosis to some extent and improve neurological impairment and the prognosis of patients with AIS.