Brain Neoplasms ; complications ; Humans ; Hypothalamic Diseases ; etiology ; Syndrome

Objective: To investigate the incidence of coutrast media iodixanol-induced delayed adverse reaction with the risk factors in general clinical practice.
Methods: A total of 20,185 patients with contrast iodixanol were recruited from 95 medical centers in China. The risk factors for adverse drug reaction as hypertension, asthma, previous contrast reaction were assessed;the administrative processes as route, injection manner, lfow rate of injection, prior heating of iodixanol were monitored and the demographic information was documented. The immediate adverse reaction within 1 hour of media administration and the delayed adverse reaction from 1 hour to 7 days after administration were recorded. The risk factors for iodixanol-induced delayed adverse reaction were studied by singlevariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Results: The overall iodixanol-induced adverse reaction rate was 1.52%, of which the immediate reaction was 0.58%and delayed reaction was 0.97%. The major delayed reaction was mild and it mostly happened in skin (0.68%) including rash, pruritus and urticaria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender (OR=0.71, P=0.036), age (OR=0.82, P=0.001), route of administration (OR=0.21, P<0.001), prior heating of iodixanol (OR=1.44, P=0.036), lfow rate of injection (OR=1.28, P=0.001) and previous contrast reaction (OR=16.04, P<0.001) were the independent risk factors for delayed adverse reactions.

Objective: To gain a clear idea on the resources and pharmacognostic identification of medicinal plant Xanthium in China. Method: Identification of botanical origin, analysis of fruit shapes and properties, microscopic characteristics, TLC and UV. Result: ldentification criteria have been worked out for Xanthium and its confused species. Conclusion: The resources of medicinal plant Xanthium may be appropriately expanded.

Objective:To observe the effect of Zhen'ai needling method in Nei Jing (Classic of Internal Medicine) on quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).Methods:A total of 99 patients with AR who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into a conventional needling group (51 cases) and a Zhen'ai needling group (48 cases).The conventional needling group was treated with acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36),Hegu (LI 4),Juliao (ST 3),Yingxiang (LI 20),Yintang (GV 29),Shangxing (GV 23) and Baihui (GV 20).The Zhen'ai needling group added acupoints of Zhen'ai needling method {Lieque (LU 7),Shanglianquan [Extra,located at 1 cun above Lianquan (CV 23)] and Tianrong (SI 17)} in addition to points in the conventional needling group.The needles were retained for 30 min.The treatment was performed twice a week.All patients were assessed by total nasal symptom score (TNSS),total ocular symptom score (TOSS) and sino-nasal outcome test-20 (SNOT-20) before and after 15 treatments to evaluate the quality of life.The clinical efficacy was evaluated after 15 treatments.Results:During the treatment,8 cases dropped out in the conventional needling group and 7 cases in the Zhen'ai needling group.There were no significant differences in TNSS,TOSS and SNOT-20 scores between the two groups before treatment (all P＞0.05).After treatment,the total effective rate of the Zhen'ai needling group was 92.7％,versus 88.4％ in the conventional needling group.There was no significant difference between the two groups (P＞0.05).After treatment,there were no significant differences between the two groups in TNSS and TOSS scores (both P＞0.05).The SNOT-20 score of the Zhen'ai needling group was lower than that of the conventional needling group,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).There were statistical differences between the two groups in the scores of cough and nasal reflux (to the throat) of the NOT-20 scale (both P＜0.05).Conclusion:Both Zhen'ai needling method and conventional acupuncture are effective in the treatment of AR.Zhen'ai needling method has a better effect than conventional acupuncture in improving cough and nasal reflux (to the throat) in AR patients.

OBJECTIVES: To review cases of peritonsillar abscess and investigate the initial clinical factors that may influence the duration of hospitalization. To determine the predictive factors of prolonged hospital stay in adult patients with peritonsillar abscess. METHODS: Subjects were adults hospitalized with peritonsillar abscess. We retrospectively reviewed 377 medical records from 1990 to 2013 in a tertiary medical center in southern Taiwan. The association between clinical characteristics and the length of hospital stay was analyzed with independent t-test, univariate linear regression and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean duration of hospitalization was 6.2±6.0 days. With univariate linear regression, a prolonged hospital stay was associated with several variables, including female gender, older ages, nonsmoking status, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, band forms in white blood cell (WBC) counts, and lower hemoglobin levels. With multiple linear regression analysis, four independent predictors of hospital stay were noted: years of age (P<0.001), history of diabetes mellitus (P<0.001), ratio of band form WBC (P<0.001), and hemoglobin levels (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In adult patients with peritonsillar abscess, older ages, history of diabetes mellitus, band forms in WBC counts and lower hemoglobin levels were independent predictors of longer hospitalization.
Adult* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Length of Stay* ; Leukocytes ; Linear Models ; Medical Records ; Peritonsillar Abscess* ; Retrospective Studies ; Taiwan

Objective To establish an allele-specific PCR method for the detection of cytochrome P-450 CYP3A5 (A6986G) and multiding resistance gene MDR-1 (C3435T) polymorphisms,and investigate the correlations of their polymorphisms with blood tacrolimus (Tac) concentration/dose (C/D) ratio in renal transplant recipients.Methods The allele-specific PCR primers were designed according to the polymorphism sites of CYP3A5 (A6986G) and MDR-1 (C3435T) genes.Then,their polymorphisms in the genomic DNA of peripheral blood samples from 72 renal transplant recipients were analyzed,and the results were validated by DNA sequencing.The blood Tac concentration was determined by the chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay and the differences of concentration,dose and C/D ratio of blood Tac in renal transplant recipients with different genotypes were compared at 1 month after transplantation.Results The coincidence rate between the established allele-specific PCR and DNA sequencing was 100％.The frequencies of CYP3A5 * 1/* 1,* 1/* 3 and * 3/* 3 genotypes in 72 renal transplant recipients were 18.1％,31.9％ and 50.0％,respectively,and those of MDR-1 C/C,C/T and T/T genotypes were 27.8％,58.3％ and 13.9％,respectively.There were significant differences in blood Tac concentration (P =0.014) and Tac C/D ratio (P =0.019) between different CYP3A5 genotypes of renal transplant recipients.Further analysis found that the Tac C/D ratio of CYP3A5 * 3/* 3 genotype was significantly higher than that of CYP3A5 * 1/* 1 and * 1/* 3 genotypes (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The allele-specific PCR method for the detection of CYP3A5 and MDR-1 polymorphisms is successfully established and the polymorphism of CYP3A5 * 3 gene in renal transplant recipients is obviously correlated with the pharmacokinetics of Tac.

Objective To explore the family function and simple coping style of parents with cleft lip and palate, and to promote the improvement of their emotional and family problems, and to provide some basis for the prevention of psychological problems in children with cleft lip and palate. Methods A total of 79 parents of cleft lip and cleft palate children under 6 years old were surveyed by means of family function scale and simple coping style scale.Results The was statistical significance in the correlation analysis of family function scale, solve the problem of (r=0.237, P ＜ 0.05), behavioral control (r=0.267, P ＜ 0.05). Simple coping style scale correlation analysis of positive coping in age of parents and parents showed significant statistical difference (r=-0.246, P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Parents of children with cleft lip and palate have poor ability to deal with emotional reaction and problem solving when stimulating, such as emotional and emotional expression and confession, family members' lack of information communication and language communication, etc, in the face of unexpected events and dangerous situations, the behavior control model is not good, and it is easy to be at a loss; and the older parents are, the fewer positive coping styles they take. The family function and coping style of parents are of great significance to the physical and mental health of children with cleft lip and palate, and psychological intervention should be carried out in time.

Objective To explore the effect of gene mutations of arsenic transport proteins-muhidrug resistance-associated proteins(MRP1 and MRP2)on phenotype of endemic arsenic poisoning.Methods Two hundreds and thirty-nine rural residents in 3 villages of Shuocheng Region,Shanxi Province were interviewed and examined by simple random sampling who had been lived there for 20 yearn at least.All the objects were divided into two groups on the basis of clinical examination with"The Standard Diagnosis of Endemic Arsenic Poisoning" (WT/S 211-2001):subjectives with skin lesion as a arsenic poisoning group and without skin lesion as a control group. One hundred and ninety-three blood samples were collected from each participanL Seventy-five arsenic poisoning cases and 118 controls were detected the gene mutations in the 2,17,23 exons of M RPI and the 10,18,31 exons of MRP2 by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and compared by multivariate Logistic regression model. Results Seventy-five cases and 164 controls underwent questionnaires. Age[ (58.85±11.26) vs (45.73±11.92),OR = 3.378,P ＜ 0.05],gender[male,57.3%(43/75)vs 27.4%(45/164),OR = 3.553,P＜ 0.01 ],smoking[46.7%(35/75) vs 21.3%(35/164),OR = 3.225,P ＜ 0.01 ],drinking[ 17.3%(13/75) vs 8.5% (14/164),OR = 1.836,P ＞ 0.05],vegetable and fruit intake[5.3%(4/75) vs 9.1%(15/164),OR = 0.560,P ＞ 0.05],egg and meat intake[34.7%(26/75) vs 30.5%(50/164),OR = 1.210,P ＞ 0.05],exposure of pesticide [41.3%(31/75) vs 29.3%(48/164),OR = 1.864,P ＜ 0.05] were tested by Logistic regression model. There was no gene mutation detected in the 23 exon of MRP1 and the 18 exon of MRP2. The gene mutations frequencies of the 2 exons of MRP1 in arsenic poisoning and control groups were 8.00% (6/75) and 5.93% (7/118),respectively;they were 13.33%(10/75) and 8.47%(10/118) of the 17 exons of MRP1,respectively;they were 22.67%(17/75) and 18.64%(22/118) of the 10 exons of MRP2,respectively;they were 5.33%(4/75) and 2.54%(3/118) of the 31 exons of MRP2,respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups(x2 = 0.312,1.165,0.460, 2.794,respectively,all P ＞ 0.05). After age,gender,smoking,drinking,nutritional level and exposure of pesticide being adjusted by multivariate Logistic regression model,there was no significant difference between two groups (OR = 0.803,1.892,2.388,1.098,respectively,all P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions The gene mutations of 2,17,23 exons of MRPI and the 10,18,31 exons of MRP2 may have no effect on the phenotype of endemic arsenic poisoning.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical significance of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (p-VEGF) levels in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients.

METHODSThe p-VEGF levels in 61 primary GIST patients, 18 patients with recurrence or metastasis, and 28 healthy blood donators (as control) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Paired p-VEGF levels of pre- and post-treatment were obtained from 44 patients. One patient received 22 consecutive detections during the follow up.

RESULTSPrimary and recurrent GIST patients had higher p-VEGF levels than healthy controls [(145.31+/-45.58) ng/L, (145.72+/-52.73) ng/L vs (89.86+/-18.30) ng/L] (P<0.01). And there were no significant differences between primary patients and patients with recurrence or metastasis (P>0.05). Significant difference were found in the p-VEGF levels between pre- and post-treatment patients (P<0.01). Post-treatment p-VEGF levels decreased markedly both in 26 primary and 11 recurrent patients [(101.81+/-27.63) ng/L and (112.45+/-38.58) ng/L]. As for the patient with 22 consecutive detections during the follow up, p-VEGF levels the period of were higher before surgery and after recurrence, and lower two months after surgery and during Glivec therapy.

CONCLUSIONSThe p-VEGF level of GIST patients is significantly higher than that of healthy people, which will decrease markedly after effective management. Monitoring the p-VEGF level in GIST patients will be helpful to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and predict the recurrence or metastasis.

Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; blood ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

This study is to investigate the effect of Icogenin on and its mechanism in anti-metastasis of pancreatic cancer BxPC3 cells in vitro. Using transwell assay, the effects of Icogenin on the invasion of BxPC3 cells were measured. The abilities of cell motility and adhesion in BxPC3 cells were detected by MTT assay and wound healing assay, respectively. The MAPK signal pathway protein expressions were analyzed with Western blotting. Also, the activity of MMP2 was observed by zymography assay. Icogenin inhibited the abilities of motility, adhesion and invasion of pancreatic cancer BxPC3 cells in vitro (P < 0.05), in a dose-depended manner, and inhibited the secretion of MMP2 and phosphorylation of ERK. PD98059 and U0126 which were ERK inhibitors could suppress the abilities of invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer BxPC3 cells. It is concluded that Icogenin can inhibit the abilities of invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer in vitro by inhibiting the secretion of MMP2 and phosphorylation of ERK.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Dracaena ; chemistry ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; secretion ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; Steroids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology