The study on the effective core formulae (CEF) not only summarized traditional chinese medicine (TCM) treatment experience, but also helped reveal the underlying knowledge in the formulation of TCM prescriptions. The aim of the present paper was to investigate the method of data mining for the discovery of core effective formulae for lung cancer. In the present study, a prescription fingerprint approach was used to characterize the staged prescription information of patients. The D index was used to screen potential beneficial herbs. Then, based on a herbal compatibility network, the maximal clique searching algorithm (BK algorithm) and survival analysis were applied to discover CEF for lung cancer, and a mining analysis was made for the 322 cases from Longhua hospital. The correlation between prescriptions and survival time was analyzed by prescription fingerprints. Forty-three potentially beneficial herbs were obtained, and two CEFs were significant for the survival time by a parametric survival model based on lognormal distribution, the results were verified by a multivariate survival model. The rules of combination of the two CEFs basically conform to TCM onco-therapeutic theory of strengthening the body resistance and the actual conditions in clinic. All results showed that the established approach was feasible for discovering the core effective formulae for lung cancer and mining survival data for complex TCM onco-therapy.
Algorithms ; Data Mining ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Survival Analysis

Objective To study treatment of Vancouver type-B periprosthetie femoral fractures after total hip arthroplasty.Methods There were 10 cases with Vancouver type-B periprosthetic femo- ral fractures after total hip arthroplasty being treatment,including three cases with type-B1 undergone open reduction and allografi strut to fix the fracture,two with type-B2 undergone open reduction and revi- sion with a long stem and five with type-B3 undergone open reduction,revision with a long stem and al- lograft strut to restore bone.The mean duration of follow-up was 27 months(8-36 months).The Harris Hip Score and radiographs were used to evaluate the outcome.Failure of the procedure.was defined as the need for revision surgery because nonunion of fracture,implant loosening,and infection.Results All cases obtained successful fracture healing,with no stem loosening or infection.Of all,nine cases were a- ble to walk by themselves but one needed aid in walking.The Harris Hip Score was 83 at the time of the final follow-up.Osseous union of the allograft to the host femur occurred in eight hips and mild graft re- sorption in two.The cotex thickness of host femur was increased more than 3-5 mm.Conclusions Stem stability and bone quality are important factors determining the outcome of treatment for periprosthet- ic femoral fracture after hip arthroplasty.Good outcome can be achieved by adopting different treatments according to sub-classification of Vancouver type-B fractures.The allograft strut for the treatment of a Vancouver type-B periprosthetic femoral fracture can not only provide fixation,but also make fracture heal fast and augment bone mass and strength.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for simultaneous determination of 5 constituents in Phyllanthus emblica,and to conduct principal component analysis and cluster analysis of contents of 5 polyphenolic constituents in P. emblica from different producing areas of Guangxi. METHODS:HPLC method was adopted to determine the contents of gallic acid,epigallocatechin, corilagin,terminalia biphenyl acid and ellagic acid in P. emblica. The determination was performed on Agilent Eclipse XDB column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1％ phosphoric acid aqueous solution (gradient elution) at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 220 nm,and column temperature was 25 ℃. The sample size was 20 μL. The results of content determination was processed by principal component analysis and cluster analysis. RESULTS:The linear range of gallic acid, gallocatechin, corilagin, chebulagic acid and ellagic acid were 1.994-31.90, 0.1598-2.556, 4.533-45.33, 14.75-88.49, 2.956-47.30 μg/mL(r≥0.9998),respectively. The limits of detection were 0.0256,0.0271,0.0529,0.1867,0.1331 μg/mL;the limits of quantitation were 0.0851,0.0893,0.1706,0.6152,0.4419 μg/mL,respectively. RSDs of precision,stability(24 h) and reproducibility tests were all<2.0％(n=6 or n=7). The average recoveries were 96.19％-101.49％(RSD=0.98％-1.41％, n=6). 12 batches of samples had 3 main components. They could be divided into 2 categories. P. emblica from Rong county of Yulin city in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region had highest comprehensive principal component score and best quality. CONCLUSIONS:Established method is simple,accurate and reliable,and can be used for the simultaneous determination of gallic acid,gallocatechin,corilagin,chebulagic acid and ellagic acid in P. emblica. The quality of P. emblica from different producing areas in Guangxi is different.

OBJECTIVETo search for a simple, quick and accurate method for the sperm DNA integrity test by modifying the conventional sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, and to investigate the reference value range of normal sperm DNA integrity by the improved SCD assay.

METHODSWe modified the conventional SCD test in its procedures, reagents preparing and utensils to be used, compared the improved method with the conventional one, and detected 293 normal semen samples for sperm DNA integrity by the modified SCD test.

RESULTSAn improved SCD test was established, and no statistical differences were found between the results of the modified and conventional methods. The reference value range was determined by the improved SCD assay for normal sperm DNA integrity, which was < 32.58% for abnormal sperm DNA integrity.

CONCLUSIONThe improved SCD test could detect sperm DNA integrity more quickly, and it reduced the cost in reagents.

Adult ; Chromatin ; ultrastructure ; DNA ; analysis ; Genetic Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Reference Values ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Motility ; genetics ; Spermatozoa ; chemistry

Ph chromosome occurs in nearly all patients with CML, and eliminating Ph-positive clone is a major target in the treatment of CML. IFN-alpha is a well-known effective treatment in chronic phase CML. The cytogenetic response and the prognostic factors in 128 CML patients treated with IFN-alpha were retrospectively studied. IFN-alpha administered singly at a dose of 3 million U/day for 2 - 3 times a week or in combination with either hydroxyurea (Hu), busulfan (Bu), low dose Ara-C or harringtonine. Karyotyping was examined by G-banding before and after IFN-alpha-based treatment. The results showed that all patients achieved complete hematological remission. Cytogenetic response occurred in 36 of 118 patients with standard t (9;22) translocation; 3 of these 36 patients had a complete cytogenetic response (Ph = 0), 13 had major cytogenetic responses (Ph < 35%) and 20 had minimal response (Ph > 35%). The total cytogenetic effectiveness was 13.6% (16/118). Four of seven patients with complicated variant translocation also achieved cytogenetic response, 2 of them had a major cytogenetic response and 2 had minimal response. Factors influenced the prognosis associated with cytogenetic response included sex, patient status at diagnosis and IFN-alpha administered singly or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. IFN-alpha could not prevent the progression of CML. It is concluded that Ph(+)CML patients with both standard and variant translocation had major cytogenetic response to IFN-alpha treatment at a dose of 6 - 9 million U/week in single or combination with Hu/Bu, however, IFN-alpha treatment could not prevent disease progression. Long term survival was also observed in patients with variant translocation treated with IFN-alpha. Regular cytogenesis examination in CML patients is necessary during IFN-alpha therapy, which is useful to reflect curative effect and progression of the disease.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; genetics ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Translocation, Genetic ; Treatment Outcome

The purpose of this study was to explore the significance of abnormal karyotype in diagnosis and prognosis estimation of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Chromosome analysis were performed in 306 cases of MDS using the short-term culture of bone marrow cell and G-banding technique, and in partial cases FISH technique was used for this analysis. 93 out of 306 cases were followed up. The results showed that 144 cases (47.1%) had clonal chromosome aberrations. The most common chromosomal aberrations included +8, translocation, complex or high complex karyotype, -7/7q-, 20q-/-20, trisomy 1 or partial trisomy 1, +11/+11q-, -9/9q-, +9/9q+, -Y, dup(1q), +21. The rate of abnormal karyotype in refractory anemia with erythroblasts (RAEB) and refractory anemia with erythroblasts-transformation (RAEBT) were much higher than in refractory anemia (RA) and refractory anemia with sideroblasts (RAS) (P < 0.05). The rate of abnormal karyotype among those cases with mutagen contact history were higher than those in cases without mutagen contact history. The patients with abnormal karyotype had a mean survival time much shorter than patients with normal karyotype (P < 0.005) and had a higher risk transforming into acute leukemia (P < 0.05). The worst outcome was observed in those patients with a complex or high complex karyotype, -7/7q- and trisomy 11. In conclusion, MDS is highly heterogeneous disorders and karyotype analysis is helpful for its diagnosis, treatment selection and prognosis estimation.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; mortality ; Prognosis

To investigate the cytogenetic and clinical characteristics in patients with abnormalities at the short arm of chromosome 12, chromosome specimens were prepared by 24-hour culture of bone marrow cells and undergone karyotype analysis by G-banding technique. The results showed that aberration at the short arm of chromosome 12 were detected in 16 cases with 12p balanced translocation, in 10 cases with 12p deletion, 6 cases with 12p addition, and in 1 case with inversion 12. By complex karyotype classification, 12p translocation included 6 simple aberrations, 6 complex aberrations, and 4 highly complex aberrations; while 12p deletion were mainly composed of highly complexity of aberration. Patients consisted of acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic myelogenous leukemia and so on. Clinical follow-up data were available in 14 patients, in which 8 cases of acute leukemia were treated with conventional chemotherapy only. Three of them attained complete remission, and the median survival time in 8 patients was 5.5 months. In conclusion, the aberrations at short arm of chromosome 12 were involved in a broad spectrum of haematological malignancies, and the karyotypes showed most complexity of aberration with low remission rate and short survival in clinic.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; genetics ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics

To investigate the cytogenetic and clinical characteristics of inv(3q) (q21q26) and t(3;3) (q21; q26) aberrations as well as prognosis, cases were collected and chromosome specimens of bone marrow cells were prepared by 24-hour culture, while G-banding technique was used to perform karyotyping. The results showed that the simple inv(3q) and t(3; 3) aberrations were rare, they commonly combined with other chromosome aberrations such as -7/7q- and t (9; 22). The involved diseases included myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis. Out of 24 patients, 2 patients diagnosed with M(5) subtype did not achieve complete remission after multiple chemotherapy; 2 patients received allogenic stem cell transplantation relapsed. It is concluded that 3q21q26 aberration commonly combined with chromosome aberration 7/7q-, for these patients the efficacy of chemical therapy is poor, the efficacy of bone marrow transplant is too poor, these patients with inv(3q) and t(3; 3) aberrations have poor prognosis and short overall survival.
Adult ; Aged ; Chromosome Inversion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Translocation, Genetic ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo measure the effect of laser fluence and scanning velocity on ablation efficiency of enamel and dentin.

METHODSTwo extracted human incisors and two molars were cut transversely along the axial plane with a diamond saw to obtain dentin and enamel slices with thickness of about 1 mm. Samples were fixed on a motorized translation stage, the linear reciprocating movement in the plane perpendicular to the direction of laser incident was programmed by the controller, and the laser focused on the tooth surface, then 36 ablation lines on enamel and 48 ablation lines on dentin were produced. A femtosecond laser system with wavelength of 800 nm, pulse width 30 fs, repetition frequency 1000 Hz was used, and the diameter of the focused spot was approximately 25 µm. A group of different fluence (1.33, 1.77, 2.21, 4.42, 8.85, 17.69 J/cm(2) for enamel and 0.44, 0.66, 0.88, 1.33, 1.77, 2.21, 4.42, 6.63 J/cm(2) for dentin) and two scanning velocity (10 mm/s and 20 mm/s) were tested. Confocal laser scanning microscope was used to measure the ablation volume.Ablation efficiency for enamel and dentin was then calculated.

RESULTSUnder the fluence of 8.85 J/cm(2) there was the highest ablation efficiency for enamel, 18.703×10(-3) mm(3)/J (20 mm/s), and the highest ablation efficiency for dentin was found under the fluence of 2.21 J/cm(2), ie.223.458×10(-3) mm(3)/J (20 mm/s).

CONCLUSIONSFluence and scanning speed of this femtosecond laser can affect ablation efficiency for both enamel and dentin, and this suggests that with appropriate choice of fluence and scanning speed we can improve the ablation efficiency for enamel and dentin.

Dental Enamel ; radiation effects ; Dentin ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Incisor ; anatomy & histology ; Lasers ; Molar ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo study on mechanisms of acupuncture in relieving visceral pain.

METHODSIn SD rats CRD was used as noxious visceral stimuli. Activities of spinal dorsal horn wide dynamic (WDR) neurons of L1-L13 were recorded by extracellular microelectrode technique. Acupuncture was given at ipsi-lateral and contra-lateral Zusanli (ST 36) of the same segmental innervation of rectum and colon.

RESULTSVisceral noxious afferent could significantly activate spinal dorsal horn convergent neurons, and mechanical stimulation of contra-lateral body surface and hand acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) could inhibit this noxious response. When the spinal cord was acutely blocked, the inhibiting CRD effect of needling CRD effect of needling contra-lateral Zusanli (ST 36) completely disappeared.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and visceral noxious afferent signals converge and interact each other in spinal level, and acupuncture at acupoint can inhibit the spinal dorsal horn neuron respon se activated by visceral noxious afferent and this action needs the participation of the center above the spinal cord.

Animals ; Colon ; innervation ; Nociceptors ; Posterior Horn Cells ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rectum ; Spinal Cord