Objective From the angle of electrophysiology, go further into the mechanism of action of acupuncture treatment to the insufficient blood-supply of vertebral basilar artery and at the same time, make a comparison of the effects between the acupuncture on cephalic meridian points and zonation cephalic acupuncture. Methods Through the contrast before and after adopting the self-acupuncture on the testees of 28 cases (including healthy persons of seven cases and TIA patients of 21 cases), observe the change of immediate effect of all waves latent period values of BAEP. Results The BAEP wave latent period of healthy persons (exclusive of I wave of auditory fainting region) assumes a relative delay within the physiological range and by comparison between points and region, the delay of V-wave Baihui point is evidently higher than that of auditory fainting region. However, the latent period of all waves of TIA patients is relatively moved up, especially there are evident differences before and after the I-wave acupuncture is carried out. Viewing from the comparison between points and region, there is no significant difference. Conclusion The function of acupuncture lies in the adjustment of antagonistic body state and it is most effective under the pathological state. Acupuncture will play the main role of excitation to the auditory nerve conduction of BAEP of TIA patients (from cochlea to midbrain) and the influence over the peripheral nerves is more sensitive than over the center ones. Although points and region have their own relative specificities, there is no significant difference between them.

Fracture of multiple implants is rare.This report describes 1 case with the fracture of multiple implants related to occlusal over-load,bruxism,periodontitis and other factors in the posterior position.The fractured implants were removed and immediate reimplantation was performed.The panoramic film showed that the implants were integrated successfully 12 months after prosthesis.

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the antitumor effects and toxicity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD1839 (Iressa) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSFrom December 2002 to August 2003, 39 patients with unresectable NSCLC were enrolled for 250 mg once-daily oral treatment with ZD1839. Clinical data was analysed using chi-square test, t test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Quality of Life (QoL) was analyzed using Chinese Version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core questionnaire QLQ-C30 and lung cancer related questionnaire QLQ-LC13.

RESULTSTumor response rate (complete response and partial response) was 28.2% . Disease control rate, which included both tumor responses and stable disease, was 59.0%. Objective tumor response was correlated with gender and pathological type. Time to progress was (6.6±1.6) months (95% CI, 3.4-9.7), and 1 year survival rate was 54.3%. Response rate of global, functional and lung cancer-related symptom scales were 34.8%, 65.2% and 73.9% respectively. The ZD1839 of 250 mg/d was well tolerated by patients. The majority of adverse events were grade I or grade II skin rash and diarrhea, which were manageable and reversible.

CONCLUSIONSZD1839 offers a new treatment option providing meaningful tumor control and symptom relief for many patients with advanced NSCLC.

BACKGROUNDImprovement of quality of life (QoL) is an important endpoint for assessment of treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study is to report the changes of QoL before and during the treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, gefitinib, for patients with advanced NSCLC.

METHODSThirty-one eligible patients with NSCLC, who participated in gefitinib compassionate-use program, were enrolled in the study. One oral gefitinib tablet (250mg) was administered every day without interruption unless disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. The impact of treatment on disease-related symptoms and QoL was evaluated with the Chinese versions of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13).

RESULTSAfter eight weeks of treatment, the mean scores of four functioning scales (physical, role, emotional and social) and global QoL increased significantly. Mean scores of main general symptoms (fatigue and appetite loss) and disease-related symptoms (dyspnoea, coughing, pain in chest, pain in arm and shoulder and pain in other parts) decreased significantly. Response rate of five functioning and global QoL were all more than 50% after gefitinib treatment. Response rate of main general symptoms and disease-related symptoms varied from 44%-84%. QoL and symptom response correlated with objective tumor response.

CONCLUSIONSGefitinib treatment can improve the QoL and symptoms of advanced NSCLC patients who failed to conventional treatments.