Objective To determine the levels of serum anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) before and after treatment in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients, and investigate the relationship of AGR2 and clinical pathological characteristics of NPC patients.Methods The serum levels of AGR2 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 55 NPC patients (NPC group) before and after treatment, 30 patients with nasopharyngeal inflammation (inflammation group) and 20 healthy controls (health control group).The correlations between serum AGR2 before and after treatment and clinical pathological characteristics of NPC were analyzed.The NPC patients received radiotherapy and were followed up for 6 months, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated.Results The serum AGR2 levels in NPC group before treatment, inflammation group and health control group were (22.92±5.24)μg/L, (9.50±4.15)μg/L and (8.75±2.18)μg/L respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (F=268.400, P=0.000).The level of serum AGR2 in NPC group was obviously higher than that in inflammation group (t=14.241, P=0.000) and health control group (t=15.254, P=0.000).The level of serum AGR2 in NPC group after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment [(15.15±10.33)μg/L vs.(22.92±5.24)μg/L, t=12.774, P=0.000].In NPC patients, serum AGR2 levels of clinical Ⅲ-Ⅳ stage group before and after treatment were higher than those of clinical Ⅰ-Ⅱ stage group (t=5.938, P=0.000;t=0.759, P=0.032).Serum AGR2 levels of lymph node metastasis group before and after treatment were higher than those of no lymph node metastasis group (t=6.879, P=0.000;t=2.700, P=0.009).Serum AGR2 levels of carotid sheath and skull base involvement groups before treatment were higher than those of non-involvement groups (t=8.342, P=0.000;t=8.255, P=0.009).Serum AGR2 levels of cranial nerve involvement group before and after treatment were higher than those of non-involvement group (t=7.743, P=0.000;t=3.021, P=0.004).The serum AGR2 level after treatment in complete response patients [(13.86±2.93)μg/L] was significantly lower than that in partial response patients [(15.85±3.24)μg/L, t=2.267, P=0.028] and invalid patients [(20.65±6.59)μg/L, t=4.935, P=0.000].The serum AGR2 level in partial response patients was significantly lower than that in invalid patients (t=3.196, P=0.004).Conclusion The level of serum AGR2 in NPC patients increases obviously.AGR2 plays an important role in the genesis and development of NPC, and can be used as a new marker of NPC for judging the clinical therapeutic efficacy and prognosis.

Objective To evaluate the curative effect of valsartan associated with low-dose amiodarone on the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF), the left atrial diameter (LAD), P wave dispersion (Pd) and the maximum P wave duration (Pmax) in patients with paroxysmal AF. Methods 76 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) were randomized to valsartan (test group) and placebo (placebo group), both associated with low-dose amiodarone, and were followed up for 18 months. The patients were asked to report any episode of symptomatic atrial fibrillation and to perform an ECG as early as possible. AF load, Pmax, Pd and LAD were measured before and at the 6th, 12th, and 18th month after the treatment. Results At least one ECG-documented episode of AF was reported in 16% of the patients in test group and in 41% in placebo group, the difference was significant (P

Objective To explore the clinical characters and the relationship between prognosis and treatment in childhood acute non-lymphocytic leukemia(ANLL).Method We summarized and analyzed the cases with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia in children patients from our hospital admission between Jan 2003 and Sep 2007.Results ①The M1,M2 subtype of childhood ANLL were about 37.1%;the clinical situation was various;extramedullary infiltration was not uncommon;②A totle complete remission(CR)rate was 68.6% and the CR rate of one course chemotherapy was 40.1%;③The CR rate of acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)was 87.5% and a average of continues CR(CCR)was 33 months after the treatment of ATRA combined with As2O3;④Among five patients finished all the courses of high dose Ara-c(HDAra-c)intensification therapy,three were CCR over 36 months.Conclusion ①The CR rate of one course chemotherapy was correlated to the intensity of treatment;②The treatment of As2O3 can help to lower the relapse of APL and enhance the event-free survival(EFS);③The treatment of HDAra-c can help to increase the EFS rate of childhood ANLL.

Silent information adjustment factor(Sirtuins)are Ⅲ class histone deacetylase on the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NAD +), and regulate various enzyme activities and biological processes.Recent studies have found that members of the Sirtuins family are closely related to the occurrence of bronchial asthma.This review summarizes the role of the Sirtuins family in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and provides a basis for the Sirtuins family as a potential therapeutic target for bronchial asthma.

Child, Preschool ; Congenital Hypothyroidism ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Williams Syndrome ; complications

Genomics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of internal fixation with lag screws plus an anti-sliding plate for the treatment of Hoffa fractures of the lateral femoral condyle.

METHODSFrom May 2006 to May 2014, 17 patients with Hoffa fractures of the lateral femoral condyle were treated with lag screws plus an anti-sliding plate. There were 13 males and 4 females, ranging in age from 27 to 59 years, with a mean of 32.5 years. All the fractures were fresh and closed fractures. According to the Letenneur's classification, 8 cases were type I, 4 cases were type II, 5 cases were type III. All the patients had no injuries of the cruciate ligament and the another part of the knee. Operative incision and fracture healing time were observed, knee joint function was evaluated by Letenneur system and HSS standard.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up from 10 to 24 months with a mean of 14.6 months. All incisions achieved primary healing, and no internal fixation breakage, malunion, femoral candyle necrosis, deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity were found. Fracture healing time was from 4 to 9 months with an average of 4.7 months. According to Letenneur's functional assessment, 10 patients got an excellent results, 4 good, 3 fair. Total HSS score was 91.1 +/- 4.7 on average,15 cases obtained excellent results, 2 good.

CONCLUSIONInternal fixation with lag screws and an anti-sliding plate can result in excellent effects for Hoffa fractures of the lateral femoral condyle. The key to a successful surgery is an anatomic reduction and rigid fixation of the fracture.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Femur ; injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Closed ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Ligaments, Articular ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of the radiologic characteristics of osteoporotic Kummell's disease.

METHODSTotal 16 patients with pathologically confirmed osteoporotic Kummell's diseases were reviewed from May 2010 to May 2012, including 4 males and 12 females with the mean age of 73.4 years (ranged, 67 to 83 years old). Radiologic imagings of all patients, including X-ray, CT and MRI, were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSIntravertebral linear clefts could be seen on the AP and lateral X-ray films of vertebrae. Sagittal and axial CT scans demonstrated the vacuum cleft phenomenon with liquid and air was identified within the vertebral body. Sagittal MRI showed the callapsed vertebral segment and the area of fluid signal with clear and intact border within the vertebral body. The fluid signal was low on T1-weighted images and high on T2-weighted images and stir images, which was corresponding to an intravertebral vacuum cleft.

CONCLUSIONThe radiologic characteristics of Kurmmell's diseases can provide valuable evidences for the early diagnosis.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Osteonecrosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To analyze clinical features and sum up experience for the treatment of ischemic bowel disease. Methods Clinical data of 73 patients with the diagnosis of ischemic bowel disease were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsTwenty-eight patients were male and 45 patients were female. The median of age was 65 years (range of 38 to 89 years). Forty-eight patients were associated with hypertension, 23%(17/73) patients had a history of coronary disease and 15% (11/73) had diabetes. Seventy patients presented symptom of abdominal pain and 93% (68/73) had hematochezia. Symptoms relieved by conservative treatment in 96% (63/66) patients. Nine patients underwent a surgery. One patient died of sepsis postoperatively. One suffered from colostomy necrosis and leakage of the rectum segment. Conclusion 1. Elder patients presenting symptoms of abdominal pain and hematochezia, especially with a history of cardio-cerebrovascular disease and diabetes should be considered for the possibility of ischemic bowel disease. 2. Most patients with ischemic bowel disease could be successfully treated by conservative therapy. 3. Surgery for patients with chronic relapsing and nonresponsible symptoms was difficult and patients often suffer from high postoperative complications.

Objective To investigate the clinical features,radiology,diagnosis and treatment of postkidney-transplant pulmonary mucormycosis.Method Three cases of post-kidney-transplant pulmonary mucormycosis were successfully diagnosed by histopathologic examinations.The clinical features of the cases were analyzed.The patients consisted of 2 males and 1 female,aged 39 to 54 yearn All patients were subjected to renal transplantation due to uremia,one was complicated with with diabetes,and pulmonary mucormycosis occurred 6 months,2 years and 6 years after kidney transplant respectively.Fever,cough,bloody sputum and chest pain were the main clinical manifestations.Multiple irregular massive or diffuse infiltrates in the lungs were the early CT findings.In a shoot time,multiple thick-walled cavities occurred in the pulmonary lesions.Pleural effusion was found in one patient.The lung specimens of patients were obtained by CT-guided percutaneous biopsy.Result The first patiem was cured after one year therapy by hraconazole,but recurred after 8 months.The second patient had a marked effect after a 21-day therapy by Itraconazole,but died of disseminated mucor for excessive immunosuppressant against the renal transplantation rejection.The third patient also had a marked effect,and was still in follow up.Condusion The post-kidney-transplant pulmonary mucormycosis is difficult in diagnosis and treatment.CT-guided percutaneous biopsy is one of effective ways for diagnosis.Itraconazole appears to be effective in treatment of pulmonary mucormycosis.Early diagnosis and an appropriate immune ftmction are the keys to improve prognosis and reduce recurrence