Based on the characteristics of clinical symptoms of psoriasis in traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and according to the coincidence between existing animal models and the characteristics of clinical symptoms of psoriasis in traditional Chinese and Western medicine, the evaluation criteria of psoriasis animal models are put forward, which can provide corresponding improvement ideas for psoriasis animal models. By listing the clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria of psoriasis in traditional Chinese and Western medicine, this paper assesses the existing animal models of psoriasis, which accords with 8.3% of the clinical diagnostic criteria of Western medicine, 15% of the main symptoms and 8% of the secondary symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine. The results showed that imiquimod-induced model was found to be the best animal model with high coincidence. The rate of modeling was faster and the cost was lower, but it was reversible with the prolongation of withdrawal time. Allogeneic transplantation model and genotype model have high coincidence with Western medicine, but low coincidence with traditional Chinese medicine symptoms. Because psoriasis is a chronic, non-infectious skin disease that is prone to recurrence, there are many factors leading to psoriasis.The existing models can not simulate the clinical symptoms well. We should use multi-factor modeling method to establish a pathological model reflecting the characteristics of clinical symptoms of psoriasis in traditional Chinese and Western medicine combined with the main external pathogenic factors of psoriasis. Therefore, it is the main task for the future research of psoriasis traditional Chinese medicine to establish animal models that reflect the clinical characteristics of psoriasis and Western medicine and improve the evaluation criteria of psoriasis combined with syndrome animal models.

OBJECTIVEto present the preliminary results of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy using a circular-stapled anastomosis with trans-oral anvil technique.

METHODSsix patients with esophageal cancer received minimally invasive Ivor Lewis oesophagectomy from April 2010 to June 2010. There were 5 males and 1 female with mean age of 55 years (ranging 38 to 69 years). The lesion located in cardiac in 1 case, in lower third of the esophagus in 4 cases and in middle third in 1 case. The abdominal portion was operated laparoscopically. The thoracic portion was done using thoracoscopic techniques. The esophago-gastric anastomosis was created using a 25 mm anvil passed trans-orally and connected to a 90 cm long polyvinyl chloride delivery tube through an opening in the esophageal stump. The anastomosis was completed by joining the anvil to a circular stapler (end-to-end anastomosis stapler) inserted into the gastric conduit.

RESULTSsix patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer (n = 5) and small-cell cancer (n = 1) underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. All the operation was successfully performed without intra-operative technical failures of the anastomosis. There was no severe postoperative complications. The mean operation time was 380 min. The mean blood loss was 300 ml. pTNM staging: T2N0M0 in 3 cases, T2N1M0 in 1 case and T3N0M0 in 2 cases.

CONCLUSIONSthe circular-stapled anastomosis with the trans-oral anvil is an efficient and safe technique for esophago-gastric anastomosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Esophagus ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach ; surgery ; Surgical Stapling ; methods ; Thoracoscopy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between two polymorphisms immediately upstream of the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) gene and preeclampsia in a South West Han Chinese population.

METHODSBlood samples from 205 patients with preeclampsia and 276 normal pregnant women as controls from Han Chinese in Chengdu area were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms.

RESULTSG and A allele frequencies for -1195G>A site were 48.54% and 51.46% in the patient group, respectively, and 40.40% and 59.60% in the control group, respectively. G and C allele frequencies for -765G>C site were 94.15% and 5.85% in the case group, respectively, and 94.38% and 5.62% in the control group, respectively. The AA genotype and variant A allelic frequencies of the -1195G>A SNP were significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia than in the control group (P<0.05), and the odds ratio for the risk of preeclampsia was 0.665 (95% CI: 0.444-0.982) in women homozygous for the variant COX2 A allele ( x²=4.233, P=0.047). The genotype and allele frequencies of the -765G>C polymorphism in patients with preeclampsia and controls showed no significant differences (P>0.05). Additional subgroup analyses (mild vs severe preeclampsia) of the two polymorphisms failed to reveal significant correlation for either genotypic or allelic frequencies. Furthermore, there was no significant association between the polymorphisms and blood pressure levels in the patient or control groups.

CONCLUSIONCOX2 -1195A homozygosity is associated with a decreased risk for preeclampsia in a South West Han Chinese population. On the other hand, the -765G>C polymorphism has no effect.

Adult ; Alleles ; Blood Pressure ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Pre-Eclampsia ; enzymology ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUNDMinimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy was usually performed with either hand-sewn or circular stapler anastomosis through a small thoracotomy or using a side-to-side stapler anastomotic technique. This study aimed to present our initial results of Ivor Lewis esophagectomy using a circular-stapled anastomosis with transoral anvil technique.

METHODSSix patients with esophageal cancer underwent minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with an intrathoracic circular-stapled end-to-end anastomosis. The abdominal portion was operated on laparoscopically, and the thoracic portion was done using thoracoscopic techniques. A 25 mm anvil connected to a 90 cm long delivery tube was introduced transorally to the esophageal stump in a tilted position, the anvil head was then connected to circular stapler. The anastomosis was completed under direct thoracoscopic view.

RESULTSA total of six patients in this report successfully underwent total laparoscopic and thoracoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with a circular-stapled anastomosis using a transoral anvil. They were five male and one female patients, and had a mean age of 55 years (range, 38-69 years). The thoracic and abdominal operations were successfully performed without any intraoperative complications or conversion to laparotomy or thoracotomy. The passage of the anvil head was technically easy and successful in all six cases. The mean overall operative time was (260 ± 42) minutes (range, 220-300 minutes), and the mean estimated blood loss was (520 ± 160) ml (range, 130-800 ml). Patients resumed a liquid oral diet on postoperative day seven. The median length of hospital stay was 17 days (range, 9-25 days). The postoperative pathological diagnosis was esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in five patients and esophageal small cell carcinoma in one patient. Tumors were staged as T(2)N(0)M(0) in three cases, T(2)N(1)M(0) in one case, and T(3)N(0)M(0) in two cases. During the mean follow-up of 2.5 months (range, 2-4 months), there were no intraoperative technical failure of the anastomosis or major postoperative complications such as leak or stricture.

CONCLUSIONSThe initial results of this small series suggest that minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for malignant esophageal tumor is technically feasible. However, further multi-center prospective studies and thorough evaluation are needed to evaluate the long-term results.

Adult ; Aged ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracoscopy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between expression of galectin-3 (Gal-3) and osteopontin (OPN) in occult metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODSForty-six patients of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from January 2006 to October 2007 were selected. There were 28 males and 18 females, aged from 33 to 77 years old. The levels of lung tissues Gal-3 and OPN were detected by RT-PCR, and the levels of blood plasma's were measured by ELISA.

RESULTSThere were 12 patients who had metastasized. In un-metastasis group the Gal-3 and OPN mRNA expression levels were significantly lower than that in metastasis group: mean value were 0.07 +/- 0.17 and 0.17 +/- 0.25 in un-metastasis group, while 0.73 +/- 0.23 and 0.79 +/- 0.24 in metastasis group. Blood plasma levels of Gal-3 (18.8 +/- 7.9) microg/L and OPN (153.5 +/- 63.5) microg/L in NSCLC which were detected from metastasis group were higher than un-metastasis group of (9.2 +/- 5.6) microg/L and (89.2 +/- 24.0) microg/L.

CONCLUSIONSHigh serum levels of Gal-3 and OPN and high expression of Gal-3 and OPN mRNA in NSCLC are closely related to the occurrence and metastasis of NSCLC. They may be indexes of evaluating the occult metastasis in NSCLC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Galectin 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Osteopontin ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

BACKGROUNDPneumonia is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in lung transplant (LT) recipients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence, etiology, risk factors and prognosis of pneumonia in LT recipients.

METHODSThe LT cohort consisted of 28 recipients receiving LT in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from August 2005 to April 2011. Data collected included demographic data, underlying disorders, time and type of transplant, follow-up information, date of last follow-up, and patient status. A retrospective analysis was made of observational data that were prospectively collected.

RESULTSTwenty-two patients of 28 LT recipients had 47 episodes of pneumonia throughout the study period. Thirtyeight episodes of pneumonia in 19 recipients occurred post-LT with a median follow-up of 257.5 days (1-2104 days), the incidence of pneumonia was 192.4 episodes per 100 LT/year and its median time of onset was 100.5 days (0-946 days) post-transplantation. Bacteria, virus and fungi accounted for 62%, 16% and 15% of the microbial pathogens, respectively. The most frequent were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20%), cytomegalovirus (CMV) (15%), and Aspergillus fumigatus (10%). A total of 29% (11/38) of pneumonias occurred in the first month post-LT, and then the incidence decreased gradually. The incidence of CMV pneumonia was 25% (7/28) with a median time of 97 days (10-971 days). More than one bacterial infection and CMV infection were independent risk factors for aspergillus infection. The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was 18% (5/28), and the history of TB was a risk factor for TB relapse. There were 58% (7/12) of recipients who died of infection, and 71% (5/7) of these died in the first year after LT.

CONCLUSIONSPneumonia is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality in LT recipients. The most frequent microorganisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, CMV, and Aspergillus fumigates. The incidence of CMV pneumonia decreases with a delayed median time of onset. More than one incidence of bacterial infection and CMV infection are independent risk factors for aspergillus infection. LT recipients are at high risk for TB, and the history of TB is a risk factor for TB relapse.

Aspergillus fumigatus ; pathogenicity ; Cytomegalovirus ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Lung Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Pneumonia ; etiology ; microbiology ; virology ; Prospective Studies ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; pathogenicity

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and safety of early chest tube removal after lobectomies for lung diseases.

METHODSA prospective randomized control study was performed with data collected from lobectomies between March 2012 and September 2012. Eligible patients (n = 70) were randomized into two groups; early removal group (removal of chest tube when drainage less than 300 ml/24 h, n = 41) and traditional management group (removal of chest tube when drainage less than 100 ml/24 h, n = 29). Criteria for early removal were established and met before chest tube removal. The volume and character of drainage, time of extracting drainage tube and postoperative hospital stay were measured. All patients received standard care during hospital admission and a follow-up visit was performed after 7 days of discharge from hospital.

RESULTSThere were no differences between two groups with respect to age, sex, comorbidities, or pathologic evaluation of resection specimens. The median volume of drainage within 24 h after surgery was 300 ml and within 48 h was 250 ml, there was significantly different between two groups (Z = -2.059, P = 0.039). Patients undergoing early removal management had a shorter Chest tube duration (44 hours vs. 67 hours, Z = -2.914, P = 0.004) and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (5.0 days vs. 6.0 days, Z = -3.882, P = 0.000). Analysis of data showed no statistically significant differences between the rate of pleural effusions developed, thoracentesis and complications, one week after discharge from hospital.

CONCLUSIONSCompared to the traditional management group (drainage ≤ 100 ml/24 h), early removal of chest tube after lobectomy (drainage ≤ 300 ml/24 h) is feasible and safe. It could result in a shorter hospital stay, and most importantly, reduces morbidity without the added risk of complications.

Aged ; Chest Tubes ; Device Removal ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion ; epidemiology ; Pneumonectomy ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Prospective Studies

Objective:To observe the effect of modified Bazhentang on the nutritional status and immune function of patients with Qi and blood deficiency syndrome in neoadjuvant chemotherapy （NAC） for gastric cancer. Method:One hundred and ten patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group with 55 cases each. Both groups accepted FOLFOX6 protocol. Patients in control group took Jianpi Shengxue tablets orally， 3 tablets/time， 3 times/day. Patients in observation group received modified Bazhentang， 1 dose/day. The course of treatment was six weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment， scores were graded according to patient generated-subjective global assessment （PG-SGA）， Qi and blood deficiency syndrome， and the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale （PFS-R）. Levels of serum total protein （TB）， albumin （ALB）， prealbumin （PAB）， CD4⁺， CD8⁺， helper T lymphocyte 17 （Th17）， regulatory T cell （Treg）， immunoglobulin G （IgG）， IgM， and IgA were detected before and after therapy. Body mass index （BMI） and fat free mass index （FFMI） were measured before and after treatment. Weight loss was recorded， and the acute or subacute toxicity of anticancer drugs was evaluated. Result:The degree of malnutrition in the observation group was lower than that in the control group （Z=2.401，P<0.01）. The levels of TB， ALB and PAB in the observation group were higher than those in the control group （P<0.01）. The CD4⁺， Treg and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ levels in the observation group were higher than those in the control group （P<0.01）. The CD8⁺， Th17 and Th17/Treg levels were lower than those in the control group （P<0.01）. Besides， the levels of IgM and IgA in the observation group were higher than those in the control group （P<0.01）. The PG-SGA score and weight loss in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （P<0.01）. The BMI and FFMI data of the observation group were higher than those of the control group （P<0.05）. The scores of PFS-R and Qi-blood deficiency syndrome were lower than those of the control group （P<0.01）. The incidence of nausea and vomiting in the observation group was 45.45% （25/55）， lower than 65.45% （36/55） in the control group （χ²=4.452，P<0.05）. Conclusion:Modified Bazhentang can be used to assist gastric cancer patients with NAC， which can improve nutritional status and immune function， promote immune balance， reduce clinical symptoms and fatigue， and reduce chemotherapy toxicity and side effects， so it is worthy of clinical use.

In this article, we analyze the clinical characteristics of five kinds of traditional Chinese medicine injections in treating heart failure based on Meta-analysis. A total of 24 Meta-analysis papers were included, which involved Shenfu Injection, Shenmai Injection, Shengmai Injection, Danhong Injection and Huangqi Injection. The numbers of literatures of Shenfu Injection, Shenmai Injection and Shengmai Injection are high than the other two injections. The efficiencies of these injections combined with Western medicine are higher than the Western medicine used alone. They can improve 6 minute walk test result, ejection fraction, the level of brain peptide sodium and so on. Shenfu Injection can also improve the living quality of patients' life, heart rate and other indicators. Shenfu Injection can be used for patients with Yin deficiency, while Shenmai Injection can be used for patients with Yin deficiency and Shengmai Injection can be used for patients with Qi and Yin deficiency. From this information, we can see that Western medicine combined with traditional Chinese medicine injections can significantly improve the clinical efficiency. These injections need to be used according to patients' symptom. In the present, as the quality of clinical research literature of traditional Chinese medicine injections is low, the efficiency and safety evaluation of Chinese medicine injections still requires higher level of clinical evidence.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Injections ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Yin Deficiency