Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of olopatadine hydrochloride for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). Methods A multicentre, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 144 patients with CIU from 3 research centers were enrolled into this study, and randomly and equally divided into a test group and a control group. The test group administrated olopatadine hydrochloride 5 mg twice a day for 28 consecutive days, while the control group administrated levocetirizine hydrochloride 5 mg in the forenoon and a placebo tablet of olopatadine hydrochloride 5 mg in the afternoon for 28 consecutive days. The symptom score reducing index(SSRI)served as the primary outcome, and global assessment score for efficacy and total response rates as the secondary outcome. Results Totally, 137 patients completed the trial, including 70 in the test group and 67 in the control group. As intention-to-treat analysis showed, there were no significant differences in the total response rate between the test group and control group on day 7 (64.29% (45/70)vs. 56.72%(38/67), P > 0.05), 14(82.86%(58/70)vs. 74.63%(50/67), P > 0.05), or 28(87.14%(61/70)vs. 77.61%(52/67), P >0.05)after start of treatment. The SSRI was significantly higher in the test group than in the control group after 4 weeks of treatment(82.67% ± 22.70% vs. 70.51% ± 32.07%, P < 0.05). In addition, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse reactions between the test group and control group(33.80%(24/71)vs. 27.94%(19/68), P > 0.05), and adverse reactions mainly included lethargy, dry mouth, fatigue, etc. Conclusion Olopatadine hydrochloride is effective and safe for the treatment of CIU.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; KATP Channels ; drug effects ; Male ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To evaluate the histocompatibility of novel manufactured xenogenic tendon matrix materials by an animal experimental study.Methods The study was conducted on 15 dogs,weighing 10-13 kg.The prepared xenogenic tendon matrix materials were implanted into the bilateral area of spine in dogs subcutaneously (experimental group),and the implantation of silicon served as control group.The animals were killed 14,30,60 days after surgery and the specimens were processed in laboratory to receive gross and histology observation.The histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and analyzed by light microscopy.Scores were assigned to the inflammatory process and statistically compared by two related samples with non-parametric test.Results All dogs survived well during the embedded test.There was no tissue necrosis,effusion or inflammation at all implantation sites in both groups during the test.The xenogenic implant materials promoted slight to moderate inflammation process after 14 days,with no statistically significant difference compared to the control.However,after 30 days,there was a regression of inflammation.After 60 days,it was observed the presence of well-organized connective tissue,and few inflammatory cells.Score evaluation of inflammation response at different time after operation of two groups showed no statistically significant difference (P＞0.05).Conclusions The new xenogenic tendon matrix materials are considered biocompatible with subcutaneous tissue.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; surgery ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paneth Cells ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of 18F-FLT PET/CT imaging in detecting and staging nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.Methods Thirteen patients with NPC underwent wholebody 18F-FLT PET/CT imaging,one of which underwent whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging one day earlier.SUVmax and SUVmean from 18F-FLT and18F-FDG imaging were obtained using circular ROI in primary and metastasis lesions and were compared with the results of histopathology.The staging results by 18 F-FLT PET was compared with those by CT.Results The SUVmax and SUVmean obtained from 18F-FLT imaging in 22nasopharyngeal sites in 13 patients were 6.04 ±3.61 and 5.09 ±2.89,and the SUVmax and SUVmean in 26 lymphadenopathy were 5.56 ± 3.11 and 4.65 ± 2.79.18 F-FDG SUVmax were higher than 18 F-FLT SUVmax in one primary lesion ( 8.32 vs 4.38 ) and two lymph nodes (3.30 ± 0.07 vs 1.48 ± 0.06) in the patient who underwent the two imagings.Compared with CT staging results,the TNM stage in 3 patients had been changed based on 18 F-FLT PET/CT imaging.Conclusions High radioactivity of primary and second lesions can be detected on 18F-FLT imaging in patients with NPC and 18F-FLT PET/CT imaging may be useful in staging for NPC.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; pathology ; Aged ; Appendectomy ; methods ; Appendiceal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Appendicitis ; pathology ; Appendix ; pathology ; Carcinoid Tumor ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male

Objective To evaluate the long-term safety, efficacy and complications of placement vena cava filter in prevention of pulmonary embolism. Methods Seventy-three patients with proven diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and (or) pulmonary embolism (PE) by Doppler ultrasonography, DSA, CT or MRI, received percutaneous inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) from January 1994 to June 2005. The clinical data and imaging findings were evaluated retrospectively. The patients underwent telephone interview or questionnaire, abdominal X-rays, Doppler ultrasonography, computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or indirect CT venography (CTV) after a follow-up duration of 5 months to 11 years. Results Seventy-eight vena cava filters were used. There was 1 case of incomplete filter opening when placing filter. In follow-up, thrombi were trapped in the filter in 2 cases, filter tilting happened in 1 case, and there were no filter migration, filter disruption, filter perforation. Five of 73 cases were lost in follow-up visit, 14 patients died after implantation (5 days to 41 months, average 14.5 months). Among the 54 living patients, the identified recurrent PE was not noted. Three cases of recurrent DVT, 1 case of inferior vena caval thrombosis and 1 case of thrombosed filters were seen in follow- up. Conclusion Inferior veua cava filter is safe and effective for the long-term prevention pulmonary embolism, and the long-term major complications after filter placement are not frequent.

BACKGROUNDLittle is known about the influence of liver transplantation on the pharmacokinetics of most anesthetic drugs. The goal of this study was to study the population pharmacokinetics of remifentanil in the different phases of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and the influence of relevant factors.

METHODSThirteen adult patients undergoing OLT were enrolled. A single bolus infusion of remifentanil 5 microg/kg was administered during the preanhepatic, anhepatic and neohepatic phases of OLT. Arterial blood samples of 1.5 ml were collected at 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60 and 90 minutes after drug administration. Remifentanil concentration was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS). Population pharmacokinetic modeling was performed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling (NONMEM).

RESULTSThe pharmacokinetics of remifentanil in patients undergoing OLT was best described by a two-compartment open model. The pharmacokinetic parameters were not influenced by age, gender, operative phase, blood temperature, rehydration volume, or blood loss volume during sampling. The volume of distribution in the central compartment (V(1)) and the volume of distribution in the peripheral compartment (V(2)) were influenced by body weight.

CONCLUSIONSThe population pharmacokinetics of remifentanil in patients undergoing OLT can be well described by a two-compartment open model. The functional status of the liver does not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of remifentanil, but the body weight is an influential factor of V(1) and V(2).

Adult ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Piperidines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

This study was purposed to investigate the phenotype, in vitro expansion and cytokine secretion profile of Valpha24(+) NKT cells from cord blood (CB), peripheral blood (PB), and granulocyte colony stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (G-PBMNCs). Fresh mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated by the method of gradient centrifugation and then cultured with alpha-GalCer (100 ng/ml), IL-2 (50 U/ml), IL-15 (50 ng/ml) for 12 days. Valpha24(+) NKT cells were purified by anti-Vbeta11 TCR McAb and goat anti-mouse IgG magnetic beads. The phenotype and purity of Valpha24(+) NKT cells were determined by flow cytometry. Cytokine production was analyzed by ELISA. The results showed that Valpha24(+) NKT cells in CB, PB and G-PBMNCs were expanded by 221.5 (95 - 501), 456.5 (101 - 2207), and 756.38 (82 - 20373)-fold respectively. After stimulation by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) for 24 hours, IL-4 and IFN-gamma produced by Valpha24(+) NKT cells from CB and PB were 180.33 (144.67 - 2253.48) vs 190.67 (110.07 - 6060.16) ng/ml, 864.33 (401.33 - 3386.67) vs 508.49 (253.82 - 8840.00) ng/ml respectively, with IL-4/IFN-gamma ratio of 0.503 +/- 0.642 vs 0.455 +/- 0.562 respectively. After expansion of Valpha24(+) NKT cells from G-PBMNCs, IL-4 and IFN-gamma produced by Valpha24(+) NKT cells at day 9 and day 12 were 139.08 (7.62 - 606) vs 89.3 (0 - 729.2) ng/ml, 14264.8 (1168 - 18059) vs 14488 (1041 - 18261) ng/ml respectively, with IL-4/IFN-gamma ratio of 0.0531 +/- 0.1081 vs 0.0376 +/- 0.1148 respectively. It is concluded that in presence of IL-2 and IL-15, alpha-GalCer can facilitate the rapid short-term expansion of Valpha24(+) NKT cells from CB, PB, and G-PBMNCs. Valpha24(+) NKT cells from G-PBMNCs show much high potential of expansion in comparison to the counterparts from CB or PB (p < 0.05). The activated Valpha24(+) NKT cells can secrete IFN-gamma and IL-4 in large amounts, with IFN-gamma in particular.
Cell Culture Techniques ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Galactosylceramides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; secretion ; Interleukin-15 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-4 ; secretion ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Natural Killer T-Cells ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDIt is still controversial whether or not the correlation between lipid abnormality and coronary heart disease (CHD) becomes weaker in the elderly, and whether patients above 80 years old still benefit from lipid management for the secondary prevention of CHD. The purpose of this study is to assess the correlation between hyperlipidemia and the risk of CHD events in the elderly, and to determine if it is appropriate to use lipid-lowering drugs in those aged above 80, as prescribed by the recommended guidelines for lipid management.

METHODSOne thousand two hundred and eleven retirees, mainly males (92%), aged 70 +/- 9 years, were enrolled in this study. Lifestyle habits and medical history were recorded via questionnaires. During the period 1986 - 2000, all subjects participated in an annual physical examination with a blood chemistry survey. The mean follow-up period was 11.2 years. Subjects with incidental illnesses, especially cardiovascular diseases, were diagnosed or treated promptly. Serum lipid parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), low and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels were analyzed according to standardization of lipid and lipoprotein measurements. The association between lipid levels and the prevalence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or coronary death was analyzed statistically.

RESULTSLipid abnormalities occurred in 2/3 of the 1211 subjects. The most common lipid disorder was high TC and high LDL-C, which was much more prevalent than high TG. Among the subjects, 51.6% had TC levels above 5.2 mmol/L. Mean TC and LDL-C reached peak levels in the 65 - 74 age group without significant decrease until ages over 90. The cumulative total number of deaths due to various causes was 397 in the 15-year follow-up period, with the mortality rate in the high lipid group slightly lower than that in the normal lipid group (30.6% vs 35.3%), although the difference was not significant (P = 0.1931). However, there were more cases of coronary death in the high lipid group than in the normal lipid group (7.9% vs 4.6%, P = 0.0045). When examining AMI survivors, more AMI cases were found in the high lipid group than in the low lipid group (20.9% vs 11.4%, P < 0.0001). The cumulative number of coronary deaths was 89 (with 88 cases above age 70), and the total number of CHD cases was 214 (17.7% of the whole group). Logistic regression analysis reveals that age, hypertension, LDL-C, and HDL-C are important risk factors for CHD. Lifestyle changes were common, but only 45% of the hyperlipidemic cases received drug treatment. Statins were commonly used only in recent years.

CONCLUSIONThe above results show that high TC and LDL-C levels are correlated with a high CHD risk even in people over 80. For elderly patients with clinical CHD and an aggregation of CHD risk factors, cholesterol-lowering therapy might be considered if the general health of the patient makes this permissible.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; etiology ; mortality ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; mortality ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; blood