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 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

The rapidly evolving aging society in China is associated with increased incidences of osteoporosis and fractures, which have become common health problems that threaten the quality of life of the elderly. Gut microbiota colonizing in the human intestinal tract form a mutual symbiotic relationship with the host and play an important role in the metabolism and immune regulation of the host. In recent years increasing studies have demonstrated that gut microbiota not only affect the digestive system but also contribute to the disease conditions involving the immune system, and have a close relationship with the occurrence and progression of osteoporosis. This review summarizes the progress and hotspots in recent researches of the associations among gut microbiota, the immune system, osteoporosis.
Aged ; Aging ; China ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; microbiology ; Humans ; Microbiota ; Osteoporosis ; microbiology ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between imatinib resistance and genes MDR1 and KIT in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cells.

METHODSThe MDR1 and KIT mRNA level in GIST882-R and GIST882-S cells were detected by RT-PCR. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot were employed to detect P-gp and CD117 expression in GIST882-R and GIST882-S cells.

RESULTSThe relative expression of MDR1 mRNA was 0.321 + or - 0.033 in GIST882-R and 0.157 + or - 0.056 in GIST882-S cells, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The relative expression of KIT mRNA was 0.389 + or - 0.063 in GIST882-R and 0.339 + or - 0.067 in GIST882-S, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The relative density of P-gp was 0.443 + or - 0.058 in GIST882-R and 0.237 + or - 0.094 in GIST882-S, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The relative density of CD117 was 0.744 + or - 0.123 in GIST882-R and 0.704 + or - 0.094 in GIST882-S, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOver-expression of gene MDR1 may be associated with imatinib resistance in GIST. KIT may not be involved in imatinib resistance.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; Benzamides ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; genetics ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology

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

OBJECTIVETo identify the FTIR spectroscopic characterization of breast cancer and explore the possibility of application of FTIR in differentiation of malignant and benign breast lesions.

METHODSFTIR spectra of surgically removed fresh breast tissues were measured by spectrometer equipped with mid-infrared fiber optics and an ATR probe. Peaks in the spectra were measured and relative intensity ratios were calculated and analyzed if there are significant differences between the spectra of malignant and benign breast lesions.

RESULTSThere were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the spectra of malignant breast cancers and benign breast tissues in the relative intensity ratios of different peaks (I1640/ I1550 and I1160/I1120 for protein structures; I1640/I1460 and I1550/I1460 for relative content of protein and lipid; I1460/I1400 for lipid structures; I1310/I1240 for nucleic acid).

CONCLUSIONFTIR spectroscopy could be a useful tool in clinical diagnosis of breast cancer.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast ; chemistry ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibroadenoma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipids ; analysis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; methods

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

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.