OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of cake-separated moxibustion in treatment of hyperlipemia.

METHODSSixty rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups, a blank group,a model group, a direct moxibustion group and a cake-separated moxibustion group. Hyperlipemia model was developed by high fat diet of cholesterol. Changes of ultrastructures of endothelial cells of the aorta of the rabbit were observed with electron microscope.

RESULTSThe endothelial cells in the cake-separated moxibustion group were more intact, most of them were normal in forms, internal elastic membrane was continuous, their thickness was even, the cells of smooth muscles in the medial membrane were relatively normal, which are similar to those in the blank control group. But the structure of endothelial cells of the aorta in the model group disappeared, in cytoplasm the sedimentation of a great number of lipids can be seen, internal elastic membrane was interrupted, the thickness was uneven, with focal dissolution, the cells of smooth muscle in the medial membrane had sedimentation of lipids, with frothy change.

CONCLUSIONCake-separated moxibustion has a certain protective action on endothelial cells of the aorta in the rabbit of hyperlipemia.

Animals ; Aorta ; Endothelial Cells ; Hyperlipidemias ; Lipids ; Moxibustion ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo study the relation on overfilling with gutta-percha point or paste and acute periapical periodontitis.

METHODSCollected sixty cases of acute periapical periodontitis which had been filled with gutta-percha point and paste within 1 week, and took dental radiographs. The cases that dental radiographs showed only guttapercha point was overfilling were assigned to group A (34 cases), and the cases that dental radiographs showed only paste was overfilling were assigned to group B (26 cases). The cases that dental radiographs showed both gutta-percha point and paste were overfilling were excluded. Sixty cases were divided into light group and severe group according to clinical sign. Measured gutta-percha point length or paste areas over apex. Took out the ohturation material cornpletely, adjusted occlusion when necessary and changed root canal medicament every day until clinical sign disappeared completely. Recorded the time of clinical sign disappeared completely.

RESULTSIn group A, gutta-percha point length over apex averaged 1.01 mm on light cases, and 1.79 mm on severe cases. In group B, the paste areas over apex averaged 2.45 mm2 on light cases, and 8.26 mm2 on severe cases. Group A had 13 light cases and 21 severe cases, and group B had 18 light cases and 8 severe cases. In group A, the average time of clinical sign disappeared completely was 3.56 days, and in group B the average time was 6.19 days. The statistical test showed there were significant differences among these four couples.

CONCLUSIONThe more overfilling, the more severe clinical sign was. Clinical sign caused by gutta-percha point overfilling was more severe. The time of clinical sign which caused by gutta-percha point overfilling disappeared completely was shorter.

Gutta-Percha ; Humans ; Periapical Periodontitis ; Root Canal Filling Materials ; Root Canal Preparation

OBJECTIVETo clone the full-length Rcet3 gene, a novel gene related to family 2 cystatins, from mouse testis or other tissues.

METHODSRcet3 gene was cloned using digital differential display (DDD) and RT-PCR was performed for cloning the full-length Rcet3 gene from adult mouse testis cDNA library with sequence analysis.

RESULTSRcet3 cDNA was 610 bp in length, consisting of 4 exons to encode a protein with 140 amino acid residues. The encoded protein contained a potential signal peptide and a cystatin domain, but lacked critical consensus site important for cysteine protease inhibition. These characteristics could be seen in the Cres subgroup related to the family 2 cystatins. Rcet3 was specifically expressed in adult mouse testis, epididymis and the cerebrum, but at higher levels in the testis than in the epididymis and cerebrum.

CONCLUSIONRcet3 may be a new member of Cres subgroup of family 2 cystatins.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cystatins ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Testis ; metabolism

In order to find the optimal topographical factor for regionslization, the content of cimetidine in 116 Sinopodophyllum hexandrum sample collected from Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu, Tibet, Yunnan and Shaanxi provinces, was determined. Using mathematical statistics and geographical spatial analysis of GIS analysis, the relationship between content of podophyllotoxin and influencing factors including altitude gradient and gradient position was analyzed. It is found that the optimal altitude was 2 800 m to 3 600 m, the aspect of slope north or northeast and northwest and the slope 12 degrees to 65 degrees with a high suitability degree. Considering the artificial planting, the suitable planting area for S. hexandrum is comfirmed. The topographical factor is important for S. hexandrum regionalization, but has hardly effect on podophyllotoxin content. The results of the study provide an important scientific basis for S. hexandrum production development. But there are many factors which affect suitability index and podophyllotoxin content of S. hexandrum, it is necessary to consider other factors like climate and soil while exploitation and protection of S. hexandrum.
Altitude ; Berberidaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; China ; Ecosystem ; Podophyllotoxin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo observe amplitude changes of low frequency fluctuation in brain spontaneous nervous activities induced by needling at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel, and to preliminarily explore the possible brain function network of Hand Taiyin Lung Channel.

METHODSBy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 16 healthy volunteers underwent resting-state scanning (R1) and scanning with retained acupuncture at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel (acupuncture, AP). Data of fMRI collected were statistically calculated using amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF).

RESULTSUnder R1 significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, left inferior parietal lobule, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus. Under AP significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, bilateral superior frontal gyrus, cerebellum, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, and so on. Compared with R1, needing at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly enhance ALFF in right gyrus subcallosum and right inferior frontal gyrus. Significant decreased ALFF appeared in right postcentral gyrus, left precuneus, left superior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and so on.

CONCLUSIONNeeding at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly change fixed activities of cerebral cortex, especially in right subcallosal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, and so on.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; physiology ; Brain Mapping ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of balloon 32P internal radiotherapy with concurrent local chemotherapy in the treatment of brain glioma. Methods A total of 228 patients with brain gliomas were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 64 received conventional radiotherapy (group A), 93 received balloon 32P internal radiotherapy (group B), and 71 had internal radiotherapy with concurrent local chemotherapy (group C). The response rates, average survival period, and the 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates were compared between the 3 groups to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the treatments. The Kamofsky's Performance Scores (KPS) after the treatments were also compared to assess the adverse effects associated with the treatments Results Significant differences were found in the response rates, average survival period and 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates between the 3 groups. The KPS scores after the treatment differed significantly between groups B and A and between C and A, but not between B and C. Conclusion Balloon 32P internal radiotherapy produces significantly better effect than conventional radiotherapy, and concurrent local chemotherapy even further enhances the effect of balloon 32P internal radiotherapy. Conventional radiotherapy results in greater adverse effects than the other two procedures, which produce comparable adverse effects.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the complete remission (CR) rate, disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with HA based three drugs induction chemotherapy and to explore the impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on the prognosis.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty-three untreated de novo AML patients were treated with HA based three drugs induction therapy. CR rate, DFS and OS were calculated. One hundred and eighty-four patients who had karyotype results were divided into four or three groups according to SWOG or MRC criteria respectively. Differences in CR rate, DFS and OS among different groups were evaluated.

RESULTSThe CR rate of all the 243 cases was 77.4%. The median DFS of the 188 CR patients was 28.5 (ranged from 1.0 to 153.0) months, DFS rates at 3 and 5 years were 45.4% and 40.2% respectively. The median OS of the 243 patients was 18.4 (range from 0.5 to 154.0) months. OS rates at 3 and 5 years were 36.9% and 31.4% respectively. According to SWOG criteria, CR rate, median DFS and OS were 97.8%, 87.4 months and 89.0 months for the favorable group; 81.9%, 17.6 months and 22.3 months for the intermediate group; 61.5%, 9 months and 11.5 months for the adverse group; and 79.3%, 29.0 months, 19.9 months for the unknown group, respectively. The differences among the four groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001). According to MRC criteria, CR rate, median DFS and OS were 96.1%, 79.9 months, 72.2 months for the favorable group; 80%, 17.6 months, 19.7 months for the intermediate group; and 43.8%, 16.5 months, 12 months for the adverse group, respectively. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant excepting for DFS between intermediate and adverse groups.

CONCLUSIONSHA based triple-drug induction regimens are highly effective in obtaining higher CR rate and longer survival time. Cytogenetics is the important prognostic factor for AML patients and SWOG karyotype subtyping criteria is more appropriate than that of MRC, the differences among the three groups being statistically significant.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Cytarabine ; administration & dosage ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Harringtonines ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the treatment outcome and impact of cytogenetic abnormalities on the response and survival of acute monocytic leukaemia (AMOL) patients received (m)HAD regimen as induction chemotherapy.

METHODSSeventy-nine AMOL patients were treated with (m)HAD regimen as induction therapy (HHT 2 mg/m(2), d 1-7; Ara-C 100 mg/m(2), d 1-7 and increasing to 1.5 g×m(-2)×(12 h)(-1), d 5-7 in some patients; DNR 40 mg/m(2), d 1-3). The treatment outcome and prognostic factors were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) The complete remission (CR) rate was 79.7% (63/79), partial remission (PR) rate was 6.3% (5/79), overall rate was 86.0%. (2) The chromosome karyotypes were analyzed in 75 patients, of whom 43 with normal karyotypes (NCR) and 30 abnormal karyotypes (ACR). For the cytogenetic prognostic groups, 49 patients were intermediate, 18 poor and 6 unknown. The CR, 1-year and 3-year overal survival (OS) rates in NCR group were significantly higher than those in ACR group (P < 0.05); but there was no significantly statistical difference in disease free survival (DFS) between the two groups (P > 0.05). The CR, 1-year OS, 3-year OS and 1-year DFS and 3-year DFS rates in intermediate prognostic group were significantly higher than those in poor prognostic group (85.7% vs 61.1%, 75.9% vs 51.3%, 65.4% vs 25.6%, 82.2% vs 66.7%, and 77.9% vs 26.7%, respectively) (P < 0.05). (3) Chromosome karyotype and the number of consolidation therapy courses had more important influence on survival in COX analysis.

CONCLUSION(m)HAD regimen as induction chemotherapy for AMOL patients achieves a high CR rate. It has an important influence on survival for the patients to received adequate consolidation therapy. The frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities in AMOL is similar to that in other AMLs. The prognosis of AMOL patients with chromosome karyotype in intermediate prognostic group is significantly better than that in poor prognostic group.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Karyotype ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate factors that affect survival and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-M(4).

METHODSSeventy AML-M(4) patients were divided into three groups, neither eosinophilia nor inv(16)\[Eos(-)\], eosinophilia with inv (16)\[Eos(+) inv(16)(+)\], and eosinophilia with no inv(16)\[Eos(+) inv(16)(-)\]. Clinical features, immunophenotype, chromosome karyotype, overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were analyzed.

RESULTSThe total complete remssion (CR) rate was 85.7%, CR rate after the first course of induction therapy was 71.4%. The median OS was 20 (1.2 - 162.4) months, and median RFS 78.0 (1.2 - 129.5) months. The 3 and 5 year OS rates were 42% and 42%, and 3 and 5 year RFS rates were 59% and 54%, respectively. The CR rate, CR after the first course of induction therapy and the median OS for the Eos(-) group were 76.9%, 61.5% and 11.2 (1.2 - 162.4) months; for the Eos(+) group were 96.8%, 89.6% and did not reach; for the Eos(+)inv16(+) group were 100%, 94.4% and did not reach; and for the Eos(+) inv(16)(-) group were 91.7%,69.2% and 14.3 months respectively. The statistical assay showed significant difference between Eos(+)inv(16)(-) and Eos(+)inv(16)(+) groups in OS. The Eos(+) patients present with early onset and low count of platelets.

CONCLUSIONEosinophilia emerged as a favorable prognostic factor, and the concomitant presence of both eosinophilia and inv(16) is associated with a significantly favorlable prognosis.

Humans ; Karyotype ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate factors associated with survival of patients with Ph chromosome positive adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (aALL) in a period of 11 years.

METHODSAll the clinical parameters of 31 Ph positive patients were statistically analyzed by SPSS software.

RESULTPh(+) patients account for 15.3% (31/203) of all the aALL patients. Clinically, these patients manifested older in age, higher white blood cell counts with high blast fractions and lower platelet counts (PC). Phenotypically 82.6% of them were common ALL, 39.1% coexpressed myeloid antigens, and 56.5% expressed CD34 antigen. 65.4% of them (17/26) achieved complete remission (CR) and the median remission and survival durations were 4 months and 8 months, respectively. Patients with Ph(+) and additional chromosomal aberrations accounted for 42% of all the Ph(+) patients, including monosomy 7, +Ph, del(9)(p11-12) and add/t(16)(p13), and they had lower PC as compared with those with sole Ph(+) (P = 0.012) and variant Ph translocation (P = 0.01). CD34 positive patients had a shorter remission and survival duration than CD34 negative ones (0 vs 9 months for median remission time, P = 0.024; and 6 vs 12 months for median survival time, P = 0.034). There was no evidence to support the correlation between myeloid antigen expression and survival time in these patients.

CONCLUSIONPh(+) aALL is associated with adverse prognosis and CD34 expression is a poorer prognostic factor in Ph(+) aALL patients. There is no significant clinical difference between Ph(+) aALL with or without additional chromosomal aberrations.

Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Survival Analysis