OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of social support on the life quality of burn survivors.

METHODSThree hundred and sixty patients admitted to our hospital from July of 1995 to July of 2002 were investigated by social support questionnaire (PRQ-85 Part2) and life quality self-evaluation questionnaire (GQOLL) 1 to 2 years after burns. The patients were divided into 3 groups (high, middle and low level of social support groups) according to the scores in the survey. The influence of different levels of social support on the degree of satisfaction of life and living quality were analyzed with SPSS11.0 software.

RESULTSThe living satisfaction score and living quality score of patients with high and middle levels of social support were 54.6 +/- 7.1, 57.4 +/- 8.1 and 46.8 +/- 5.2, 51.3 +/- 5.7, respectively. On the other hand, those with low level of social support, the scores were 51.2 +/- 8.1 and 43.6 +/- 5.0, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe life quality of burn patients can be improved through reinforcement of the social support.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Burns ; psychology ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Satisfaction ; Quality of Life ; Social Support ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Survivors

Objective To investigate the optimization of therapeutic regimen through the adjustment of the minimum sub-field area in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for cervical cancer,under the premise of no influence on the dose to target volume or organs at risk.Methods A total of 12 patients with pathologically confirmed cervical cancer were enrolled,and the prescribed dose to the planning target volume (PTV) was 50 Gy in 25 fractions.The Pinnacle 8.0m treatment planning system was used for all patients,and 16 IMRT plans were developed for each patient,with the application of 9 evenly distributed fixed incidence directions (0°,40°,80°,120°,160°,200°,240°,280°,and 320°),a minimum sub-field number of 80,and a minimum sub-field hop count (MU) of 5 MU.The range of sub-field area was 2-81 cm2.Direct machine parameter optimization was used for inverse-planned optimization calculation,and all the plans met the requirements of the clinical prescribed dose.The dose-volume histogram was used to evaluate the dose distribution in target volume and organs at risk.Results With the sub-field area increasing from 2 cm2 to 81cm2,the total hop count of IMRT plan was reduced from (1405±170) MU to (490±47) MU (P=0.000),and when the sub-field area increased above 6 cm×6 cm,the total hop count was reduced significantly (P=0.000).In the IMRT plan with a minimum sub-field area of 2-49 cm2,there was no significant difference in dose between the target volume and the organs at risk (P＞0.05).The dose to the rectum,the bladder,and both femoral heads showed no significant differences across the IMRT plans with different minimum sub-field areas (P＞0.05).Conclusions When the Pinnacle 8.0m treatment planning system is used to develop IMRT plans for cervical cancer,the requirements for clinical dose can still be met with a minimum sub-field area reaching 7 cm×7 cm,and there are significant reductions in sub-field hop count and total hop count.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the influencing factors of the psychological disorder in burn patients and its correlation with the ability to resume work.

METHODSFive hundred and sixty burn patients aged 7 approximately 76 years old were enrolled in the study. The patients' psychological disorder was evaluated by self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), and symptom check list-90 (SCL-90). Global assessment scale (GAS) was employed to detect the severity of the psychological disorder and the social function during 1 month to 2 years of the convalescent stage of burn patients. Discharged burn patients were followed up by questionnaire and telephone for their ability to resume work.

RESULTSAnxiety and depression in patients with severe burn or facial burn occurred earlier and severer and the patients worried about the possibility to resume their work, the maintainance of family relation, and the ability to join the society, All these problems aggravated their psychological disorder. After psychotherapy, the disorders were obviously alleviated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSevere psychological disorders might delay the time of patients'ability to resume their previous work.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Burns ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; etiology ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Psychotherapy ; Work

To explore the effect of estrogen on pathogenesis of osteoporosis in women with maintenance hemodialysis. One hundred and twenty women aged 18-45 years had been undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for ≥ 3 months were included. Of them ,60 women without osteoporosis served as control group and the other 60 women with osteoporosis as observation group. Serum concentrations of estradiol, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and calcium were determined, meanwhile bone mineral density (BMD)was measured by quantitative computed tomography. Serum estradiol levels in the observation group were lower while TNF-α level were higher than those in control group (all P<0. 05). PTH and calcium levels were not significantly different (P= 0.567 and P = 0. 588). In the observation group, linear correlation analysis revealed positive correlation (r = 0. 865 ,P<0. 01)between estradioi and BMD,while multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum estradiol and calcium levels were positively correlated with BMD, and the concentrations of TNF-α and PTH were negatively correlated with BMD (F= 140.32 ,P<0.01). Estradiol levels were found to have greater effect on BMD(t=5. 386, P<0. 01). Lowered serum concentration of estradiol in women with maintenance hemedialysis seems to be a major factor related to osteoporosis,it accelerates the pathogenesis of osteoporosis by modulating TNF-α.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of transumbilical single-site single-port with that of transumbilical single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the treatment of varicocele in adolescents.

METHODSWe randomly assigned 80 varicocele patients aged 10 - 16 years to two groups of equal number to receive transumbilical single-site single-port and single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomy, respectively. We compared the operation time, postoperative hospital stay, incisional pain, complications and satisfaction with the abdominal cosmetic outcomes between the two groups.

RESULTSAll the operations were successfully performed. The double-port group showed a significantly higher score on the Visual Analogue Scale than the single-port group (4.8 +/- 1.4 vs 3.6 +/- 1.1, t = -4.986, P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences between the two groups in the operation time ([29.8 +/- 4.2] vs [31.2 +/- 4.6] min, t = 1.383, P = 0.171), postoperative hospital stay ([1.95 +/- 0.7] vs [1.82 +/- 0.8] d, t = -0.784, P = 0.436), complications (0 vs 0) and scores on the satisfaction with abdominal cosmetic outcomes (4.6 +/- 0.6 vs 4.8 +/- 0.5, t = 1.253, P = 0.214). No recurrence, umbilical hernia, hydrocele and orchiatrophy were found in the two groups of patients at 6 months after operation, and no visible scar was observed on the abdominal surface.

CONCLUSIONWith strict surgical indications, single-site single-port and single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomies have similar clinical effects in the treatment of varicocele, which leave no scar on the abdominal surface. Single-site double-port laparoscopy needs no special instruments and therefore is worthier of wide clinical application.

Adolescent ; Child ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Operative Time ; Umbilicus ; surgery ; Varicocele ; surgery

Objective To investigate the expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor ? (PPAR?) in trophoblast and relation between PPAR? ligands and trophoblast invasion.Methods We examined the expression of PPAR? by immunohistochemistry,immunocytochemistry and real time quantitative PCR.We next examined,using the cytotrophoblast culture model,the biological role of PPAR? ligands in vitro.Results PPAR? was mainly localized in the nuclei of villous cytotrophoblast and extravillous cytotrophoblast of cell islands and cell columns.In villous tissue and cultured trophoblast from early first trimester,the level of expression of PPAR? mRNA and protein was 36.0?5.1,13.4?3.1 and 1.35?0.08,1.13?0.11;from late first trimester it was 23.3?5.5,6.1?1.3 and 1.17?0.03,0.86 ?0.05,and the expression of PPAR? was obviously decreased (P

Based on single factor tests,the optimum vacuum belt drying conditions of Qibai Pingfei granule were obtained through Box-Benhnken central combination design and RSM. In this study, drying time, drying temperature and extract density were chosen as independent variables, while transferring rate ginsenoside Rg₁, Re, Rb₁and astragaloside IV were taken as dependent variables. The optimum parameters are as follows: drying time of 112 min, drying temperature of 87 °C and extract density of 1.30 g · mL⁻¹. At the optimum condition, transferring rate ginsenoside Rg₁+ Re, Rb₁and astragaloside IV were 88.01%, 87.31%, 84. 34%. Above all, the optimum processing parameters of vacuum belt drying of Qibai Pingfei granule is reasonable and feasible, which can provide reliable basis for production.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Desiccation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Temperature ; Vacuum

Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Chemokine CCL2 ; analysis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; analysis ; genetics ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Compound Xuanju Capsule (CXC) on autoimmune prostatitis in rat models.

METHODSSixty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number: blank control, low-concentration purified prostate protein (low-conc PPP), low-conc PPP + CXC treatment, high-concentration PPP (hi-con PPP), and hi-conc PPP + CXC treatment. Autoimmune prostatitis models were established by intragastric administration of PPP solution at 15 mg/ml (low concentration) and 80 mg/ml, respectively. At 30 days after modeling, the rats in the blank control and low-conc and hi-conc PPP model groups were treated with normal saline, and those in the other two groups with CXC at a daily dose of 0.068 g/ml. At 30, 45, and 60 days, all the animals were sacrificed for observation of pathological changes in the prostate tissue and determination of the levels of IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha in the serum.

RESULTSCompared with the PPP models, the hi-conc PPP + CXC group showed significantly reduced levels of IL-8 and TNF-alpha in the serum at 45 days ([148.54 +/- 17.23] and [62.14 +/- 5.59] pg/ml vs [100.77 +/- 11.08] and [32.63 +/- 2.91] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([143.69 +/- 17.28] and [59.38 +/- 5.50] pg/mlvs [95.77 +/-10.53] and [29.63 +/- 2.66] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so did the low-cone PPP + CXC group at 45 days ([128.47 +/- 12.21] and [40.43 +/- 3.64] pg/ml vs [111.76 +/- 10.07] and [35.44 +/- 3.17] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([131.07 +/- 10.93] and [43.34 +/- 3.91] pg/ml vs [97.46 +/- 8.75] and [30.44 +/- 2.75] pg/ml, P < 0.05). The serum level of IL-10 was remarkably elevated in the hi-cone PPP + CXC group as compared with that of the PPP models at 45 and 60 days ([189.14 +/- 16.78] and [184.14 +/- 15.89] pg/ml vs [230.48 +/- 29.96] and [248.48 +/- 31.03] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so was it in low-cone PPP + CXC group ([223.14 +/- 17.87] and [224.14 +/- 17.93] pg/ml vs [231.42 +/- 23.18] and [249.42 +/- 24.97] pg/ml, P < 0.05). Pathological examination revealed morphological damages to the prostate tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the model rats, but no obvious changes in the normal controls. At 15 days of treatment, the rats in the PPP + CXC group showed enlarged prostate glandular cavity, mild proliferation of epithelial cells, no obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells in the interstitial tissue, and a few visible fibrous tissues under the light microscope.

CONCLUSIONCompound Xuanju Capsule is efficacious on autoimmune prostatis in rats by reducing inflammatory changes in the prostate tissue and improving the expression of inflammatory factors.

Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Capsules ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Prostatic Secretory Proteins ; Prostatitis ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

BACKGROUNDEnhanced apoptosis of cytotrophoblasts in early pregnancy is associated with high risk of intrauterine growth retardation and preeclampsia, which are two common pregnant complications. Its etiological factors remain unclear. Cytotrophoblasts share some traits with innate immune cells and may show response to lipopolysaccharide. This study was conducted to demonstrate whether lipopolysaccharide has apoptosis-inducing effects on cytotrophoblast and the role of innate immune reaction in this process.

METHODSCytotrophoblasts were isolated from early pregnant villous tissues and cultured with serum-free medium. Subsequently, cytotrophoblasts were treated with lipopolysaccharide at the concentrations of 0 (control), 25, 50, 100 and 200 ng/ml for 24 hours. Apoptosis of cytotrophoblasts was determined by light microscopy, Hoechst 33258 DNA staining with a fluorescent microscope, transmission electron microscope and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated/propidium iodide (PI) staining with flow cytometry. Then expression of caspase-3 was detected by Western blot. Confocal immunofluorescence technique was used to detect tumor necrosis factor alpha expression in cytotrophoblasts. The levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha in the culture medium were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSUnder light, fluorescence microscope and transmission electron microscope, characteristic alternations of apoptosis in cytotrophoblasts were observed after lipopolysaccharide treatment. Flow cytometry results showed that lipopolysaccharide significantly increased apoptosis indexes of cytotrophoblasts. Significant statistical differences were found in the above groups (P = 0.01). The mean relative densities of bands corresponding to caspase-3 were significantly increased in groups treated with lipopolysaccharide, as compared with the normal control (P < 0.001). Tumor necrosis factor a expression was found to increase in cytotrophoblasts by confocal immunofluorescence technique and in culture medium by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after lipopolysaccharide treatment. A positive correlation was found between tumor necrosis factor a expression and apoptosis indexes of cytotrophoblasts (r = 0.747, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONApoptosis of cytotrophoblasts could be induced by lipopolysaccharide, in which innate immune reaction is the important mechanism.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; drug effects ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Trophoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis ; physiology