Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of balloon dilatation with ice water and room temperature water on cricopharyngeal achalasia after brainstem stroke.Methods Forty dysphagic patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia after brainstem stroke were recruited.Twenty patients assigned to experimental group were treated by balloon dilatation with ice water and low frequency elecrtrical stimulation.Twenty patients assigned to control group were treated by balloon dilatation with room temperature water and low frequency electrical stimulation.Results After treatment,36 out of the 40 patients of the two groups could eat pasty food independently without choking.Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) showed that the cricopharyngeal sphincter relaxed and the foods passed successfully when swallowing bolus,and no aspiration happened.In comparison,the level of cricopharyngeal opening,the number of patients with nasogastric tube remained and eating normally,and the scores of functional oral intake scale (FOIS) between the two groups showed no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).The average treatment sessions,average hospitalization days and average treatment cost in treatment group were significantly less than those in the control group(P ＜0.05).Conclusion Cricopharyngeal achalasia can be treated effectively by balloon dilatation with ice water or with room temperature water combined with low frequency electrical stimulation,but treatment course of balloon dilatation with ice water were significantly shorter than that of balloon dilatation with room temperature water.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; adverse effects ; methods ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Minority Groups

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of low-tube-voltage, low injection rate, low contrast agent dosage in combination with iterative model reconstruction ( IMR) algorithm in CT angiography ( CTA) of the head-and-neck vessels .Methods Sixty patients who underwent CT angiography of the head-and-neck vessels were randomly divided into groups A and B with 30 cases in each group .Patients in group A received a conventional scan with 120 kVp and filterback projected ( FBP) reconstruction .Patients in group B received a low-dose scan with 80 kVp, and image reconstruction with FBP ( group B1) and IMR (group B2)algorithm.The contrast agent protocol were as follows: the injection time in all patients was 10s, the injection rate was 4.5-5.5 ml/s in group A while 3.5-4.0 ml/s in group B.The CT values of artery, image noise, signal to noise ratio ( SNR) and contrast to noise ratio ( CNR) were measured and compared among three groups with One-way ANOVA analysis . Image quality was evaluated by two radiologists with five scale method , and compared with Kruskal-Wallis test .The CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) and dose length product ( DLP) were recorded and compared between groups with two independent samples t-test.Results The image quality scores of groups A , B1and B2 were 3-5, 2-4 and 3 -5, respectively .Image quality of twelve patients in group B 1 couldn′t meet the diagnostic requirements but none in group A and B 2.The objective image parameters SNR and CNR for group B 2 were equal to group A ( P >0.05), while those for group B1 were lower than group A (t=13.39, 9.45, P<0.05) and group B2 (t=-12.14, -9.96,P<0.05).CTDIvol and DLP for group B were separately 80.9%, 81.3%lower than those of group A(t=39.1, 32.2,P<0.05).The injection rate and contrast agent volume for group B were separately 22.0%, 22.1% lower than those of group A ( t=20.8, 20.8, P<0.01) .Conclusions It is feasible in CT angiography of the head-and-neck vessels with lower tube-voltage, lower injection rate, lower contrast agent dose and combining with iterative model reconstruction algorithm.This protocol can reduce the radiation dose by 81.3% while maintaining image quality .Trial registration Chinese clinical trial registry ,ChiCTR-BOC-16010060.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Altitude ; Animals ; Brain Edema ; prevention & control ; Female ; Hypoxia, Brain ; therapy ; Male ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Adenosine A1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and efficacy sustainable time of acupuncture in knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

METHODSThe non-randomized concurrent control trial was adopted. One hundred and ninety-three cases of KOA were divided into an immediate acupuncture group (group A, 97 cases) and a delayed acupunc-weeks at the end of treatment. In group B, the same acupuncture therapy was applied after waiting 4 weeks. The acupoints in the two groups were Liangqiu (ST 34), Dubi (ST 35), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Xuehai (SP 10), Xiyan (EX-LE 4), Xiyangguan (GB 33). WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis) was used for the assessment of the primary index and VAS (visual analogue scale) was for the secondary index. The evaluation was accomplished by the patients at the beginning of trial, on the 4th and 8th weeks. In each group, 72 patients finished the trial and the data of the lost cases were included in the final data analysis.

RESULTSIn the 4th week of trial, WOMAC score was (25. 8+/-22.0) in group A difference (P<0. 001). VAS scorewas (31. 8+/-24. and was (43.8+/-22.2) in group B, indicating the significant 6) in group A and was (56. 6 +/-25. 8) in group B, indicating very significant difference (P<0. 001). In the 8th week, the efficacy was reduced slightly in the follow-up of group A, but it was improved apparently as compared Acupuncture relieves joint pain and improves joint function obviously.by th patiĩeffr,a Mtaetfti-?an tf ri-with that before treatment.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture relieves joint pain and improves joint function obviously.The effect of acupuncture is still sustainable in 4 weeks after terminating the treatment.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthralgia ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of fusion tumor vaccine in tongue cancer treatment.

METHODSHuman macrophages fused with human tongue carcinoma cell line Tca8113 cell. The fusion cells were selected by magnetic cell sorting (MACS) and cultured. The biological properties of fusion cells and anti-tumor immune response in vitro induced by fusions were observed.

RESULTSIn contrast to Tca8113, the fused cells grew significantly slow in vitro. The expression of MHC I, II antigen of the fusion cells which was detected by flow cytometry (FCM) was higher than that of Tca8113. The fused cells significantly increased the proliferation of mixed lymphocyte and induced their cytotoxicity on parental Tca8113.

CONCLUSIONSThe fusion tumor vaccine of macrophages and OSCC cells increase in vitro immunogenicity significantly. This indicates that fusion tumor vaccine could be a new method of anti-tumor immunotherapy, which has important potentials for effective individualized human OSCC vaccine.

Animals ; Cancer Vaccines ; immunology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; immunology ; Cell Fusion ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Histocompatibility Antigens ; immunology ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Macrophages ; immunology ; Rats ; Tongue Neoplasms ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of the conventional acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

METHODSSeventy-three cases of KOA were treated with the conventional acupuncture therapy at Liang-qiu (ST 34), Dubi (ST 35), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34), Yinlingquan (SP 9), etc. The conventional acupuncture therapy lasted for 4 weeks (at least 3 treatments and less than 5 times each week). At the end of treatment, the follow-up visit lasted for 4 weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were adopted for the efficacy assessments of the patients.

RESULTSOf 73 cases, 49 cases accomplished the trial. The data of the lost cases were included in the final data analysis. At the end of 4-week treatment and the follow-up visit, every score in VAS and WOMAC was decreased The conventional acupuncture therapy reduces the joint pain for apparently (P < 0.001, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONthe patients with KOA and improves the joint function. The 4-week follow-up visit indicates that the efficacy of acupuncture is still sustained.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthralgia ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy ; Pain Measurement ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo establish a new culture method to induce the differentiation of embryonic pancreatic cells into mature endocrine cells.

METHODSMouse embryos at day 12.5 were used and embryonic pancreata were isolated. The isolated embryonic pancreata were cultured on the filter for 7 days, which floated in the dish containing medium. During culture, the expression of pancreas duodenum homeobox-1 (PDX-1), a pancreatic stem cell marker, was examined at day 1. The expression of neurogenin 3 (Ngn3), a pancreatic progenitor cell marker, was examined at day 3. The expressions of endocrine and exocrine markers, insulin, glucagon, and carboxypeptidase (CPA) were examined at day 7 by immunohistochemistry. The kinetics of pancreatic marker expression during culture was assayed by real-time PCR.

RESULTSMany pancreatic stem cells still existed in embryonic pancreata cultured for 1 day; meanwhile, these pancreatic stem cells proliferated in high rate. A large amount of pancreatic progenitor cells were found in embryonic pancreata cultured for 3 days.Pancreatic stem/progenitor cells differentiated into mature endocrine and exocrine cells in embryonic pancreata after having been cultured for 7 days. Furthermore, the expression pattern of pancreatic marker is consistent with that in vivo.

CONCLUSIONWe successfully established a new culture method, with which embryonic pancreatic cells can efficiently differentiate into mature endocrine cell.

Animals ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Endocrine Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Pancreas ; cytology ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo construct a method to culture pancreatic progenitor cells in hanging drop and on floating filter,and to examine if pancreatic progenitor cells can differentiate into mature endocrine cells with this method.

METHODSMurine embryos at day 12.5 were isolated and digested into single cells,which were then cultured in hanging drop for 24h and formed spheres.Spheres were cultured on the filter for 6 days,which floated in the dish containing medium.During culture,the expressions of pancreas duodenum homeobox-1(PDX-1)and neurogenin3(Ngn3)were determined.The expressions of endocrine and exocrine markers,insulin,glucagon,and carboxypeptidase(CPA)were determined on day 7 by immunohistochemistry.Insulin secretion of spheres stimulated by glucose was detected by ELISA.The changes of pancreatic marker expressions during culture were monitored by real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).

RESULTSOne day after the culture,there were still a large amount of PDX-1 positive cells in pancreatic spheres,and these cells proliferated.On day 3,high expression of Ngn3 was detected,and the Ngn3-positive cells did not proliferate.On day 7,The expressions of endocrine and exocrine markers in the differentiated pancreatic progenitor cells were detected,which were consistent with that in vivo.Insulin was secreted by spheres upon the stimulation of glucose.

CONCLUSIONIn hanging drop and on floating filter,pancreatic progenitor cells can differentiate into mature endocrine cells.

Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Endocrine Cells ; cytology ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Mice ; Pancreas ; cytology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic and adverse effects of topotecan combined with cisplatin in the treatment of advanced squamous cell lung cancer and head and neck cancer.

METHODSTotally 126 patients with advanced squamous cell lung cancer and head and neck cancer, which were confirmed by tissue pathology or cytopathology, were treated with intravenous infusion of topotecan at the dose of 0.75-1.2 mg/m2 (for 5 consecutive days) combined with intravenous infusion of cisplantin at 25-30 mg/m2 for 3 consecutive days. Each treatment course consisted of two 21-day cycles of the treatment.

RESULTSNo complete remission was achieved in these patients, and 61 patients had partial remission, 53 had clinically stabilized disease and 12 had progressive disease. The total response rate was 48.4% among the patients, with the median survival time of 10.1 months and one-year survival rate of 36.7%. The major adverse effects were bone marrow suppression and alopecia.

CONCLUSIONTopotecan combined with cisplatin may achieve a favorable response in patients with advanced squamous cell lung cancer and head and neck cancer, and causes tolerable adverse effect without accumulative toxicity.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Topotecan ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult