Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Psoriasis ; therapy

Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; physiopathology ; Electromyography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term and long-term effects on treatment of neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis with the combination of acupuncture and moxibustion with seed-size moxa cone.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-five patients of neck pain were randomly divided into an acupuncture-moxibustion group (49 cases), an acupuncture group (48 cases) and a moxibustion group (48 cases). Acupoints of Bailao (Extra), Dazhui (GV 14), Jianzhongshu (SI15) and Zhongzhu (TE 3) were adopted for all the 3 groups. Acupuncture was applied at all the acupoints with 20 min needling retention for the acupuncture group. Moxibustion with seed-size moxa cone was used with 5 cones on each point for the moxibustion group. And both acupuncture and moxibustion with seed-size moxa cone were adopted for the acupuncture-moxibustion group. The treatment was applied once every 3 days, and 10 treatments should be finished within 4 weeks. Follow-up should be carried out for 3 months. The short-term and long-term effects were evaluated with the scores of Northwick Park Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) as the indices of therapeutic effect.

RESULTSThe NPQ score and MPQ score of all the 3 groups after the treating course and the 3-month follow-up were both decreased when compared with those before the treatment (all P<0. 05). The scores of NPQ and MPQ the acupuncture-moxibustion group were lower than that of the other two groups. And the difference had obvious significance (P<0. 05). High efficiency of pain relieving for cervical spondylosis could be found in all the 3 groups, which showed that short-term and long-term effects were good for all the 3 groups. And the highest curative effect could be found in acupuncture-moxibustion group.

CONCLUSIONCombination of acupuncture and moxibustion with seed-size moxa cone has reached a superior effect in short-term and long-term for neck pain caused by cervical spondylosis.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; instrumentation ; Neck Pain ; etiology ; therapy ; Spondylosis ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective The aim of this phase Ⅱ study was to determine the efficacy and safety of combined bortezomib and thalidomide (VT) regime as initial treatment for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) in China. Methods Thirty-four patients were enrolled in this study and received VT regime up to 21-day cycles. Bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2) was administered intravenously on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, while oral thalidomide ( 100 mg/day) was given from days 1 to 21. The primary end point was clinical response.The secondary end point was safety. Results Among the 34 patients, 20 were male, 14 were female, with a median age of 59 years, and 15 in international stage system (ISS) Ⅲ ,18 in ISS Ⅱ , 1 in ISS Ⅰ . Among them, 28 completed 2 cycles' treatment and achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 92.9%; 26 were able to complete the planned 8 cycles of therapy. After 8 cycles, the ORR was 100% ( complete response 30. 8%, near-complete response 23.1%, partial response 42. 3%, minimal response 3.8% ). After followed up with a median time of 12 months, the estimated rate without progress of disease was 62%, and the estimated continous remission rate of 12 months was 62%. The median survival time was not achieved. The most common adverse events were mild to moderate ( grades 1, 2). The main toxicities were hematologic (53. 3% ), gastrointestinal ( 40. 0% ), peripheral neuropathy ( 38.0% ), fatigue ( 36. 6% ) and fever (32. 0% ). Conclusions VT regime provides a very high ORR and complete response rate in the treatment of newly diagnosed MM patients. No patients experienced deep venous thrombosis. In conclusion,bortezomib in combination with thalidomide is a very effective regimen for newly diagnosed MM patients and the toxicities are manageable.

Objective To quantitatively evaluate the metabolic changes in posterior cingulated cortex and left basal ganglia in patients with liver cirrhosis before and after liver Transplantation (LT).Methods A total of 22 controls and 37 cirrhotic patients listed for LT were enrolled in the study. Brain MRS (PRESS sequence) and neuropsychological (NP) tests were performed in all subjects. Eighteen patients were followed up at 1 month and 3 month after LT. The NP parameters including number connection test-A ( NCT-A), digital symbol test (DST) and symbol digital test (SDT) were measured. MRS metabolic contents were measured automatically at posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and left basal ganglia (LBG).Independent t-test was used to compare the parameters of NP test and MRS metabolites between the 2 groups. The changes of the parameters before and after LT were compared using analysis of variance.Pearson correlation test was also used to analysis the relationship between NP test parameters and MRS metabolites. Results ( 1 ) Before LT, significant difference of metabolites was found in the PCC between the two groups [ NAA/Cr(1.96 ±0.21, 1.73 ±0. 12), Cho/Cr(0. 65 ±0. 12,0. 83 ±0.09), mI/Cr (0.41 ±0.14,0.72±0.11), Glx/Cr(2. 37 ±0. 38,1. 92 ±0. 32) (t= -5.42,5.96,8.62,-4.72,P＜0.01)].And statistical significance also were found in LBG between the 2 groups [ Cho/Cr (0. 63 ± 0. 16,0. 77 ±0. 10), mI/Cr(0.38 ±0. 17,0.53 ±0.21), GIx/Cr(1.70 ±0.36,1.29 ±0.30), (t =3.64,3.07,-4.58 ,P ＜ 0. 01 )]. (2)Compared with controls, the patients before LT had longer NCT-A reaction time [ (58. 17 ±19. 12) s,(37.68 ±8.02) s,t =4. 14,P＜0.01], lower scores of DST (36.67 ±9.91,55.36 ±9.27,t = 4.60,P＜0.01) and SDT (31.67 ±9.49,50.73 ±8.34,t = 4.652,P＜0.01) before LT. All the scores of NP tests changed significantly at 1 and 3 month after LT compared with those before LT[ NCT-A (53.06±12.71) s,(35.72 ±5.20) s,F =33.554,P ＜0.01 ], DST(41.89 ±8. 17,54.39 ±5.69,F =85.772,P＜0.01),SDT(37.44±7.68,49.39±5.65,F=83.061,P＜0.01)]. (3) In the 18 patients who were followed, Cho/Cr [ PCC (0. 90 ± 0. 14,0. 92 ± 0. 08, F = 38. 178, P ＜ 0. 01 ); LBG (0. 81 ± 0. 08,0. 80 ±0.09,F =9.447,P ＜0.01)] and Glx/Cr [ PCC(1.86 ±0.32,1.75 ±0.25,F = 19.420, P ＜0. 01 ); LBG( 1.30 ±0. 20,1.23 ±0. 25 ,F = 17. 952,P ＜0. 01 ) ] recovered at 1 month after LT, while the mI/Cr [PCC (0.39±0.15,0.71 ±0. 10,F =75. 186,P＜0.01) ;LBG (0.47 ±0.25,0.61 ±0.27,F =8. 027, P ＜ 0. 01 ) ] recovered at 3 month after LT. (4)mI/Cr of cingulate cortex correlated significantly with NCT-A, DST and SDT (r= -0.743, 0.597, 0.615, P＜0.01 ) before LT. Conclusion Cerebral metabolic changes in patients with liver cirrhosis is reversible and MRS of the posterior cingulate cortex is a helpful method in following up the changes after LT. mI/Cr is a useful indicator to predict the brain changes of cirrhotic patients before and after LT.

AIM:To generate thalassemia-specific integration-free induced pluripotent stem cells ( iPSC) and to detect their ability of differentiation into hematopoietic precursors .METHODS:The plasmids pEB-C5 and pEB-Tg were transfected into the fibroblast cells from hemoglobin Bart ’ s hydrops fetalis ’ s skin by the method of nuclear transfection to reprogramm the cells into iPSC .The ability of the iPSC to differentiate into 3-germ layer cells was determined .The iPSC were cocultured with mouse OP 9 cells to differentiate into hematopoietic precursors and the hematopoietic precursor specific antigens were detected .RESULTS:The integration-free iPSC from hemoglobin Bart ’ s hydrops fetalis ’ s skin fibroblasts were successfully derived, and had the ability to differentiate into 3 germ layers.When cocultured with OP9 cells for 9 d, the positive rate of hematopoietic progenitor cell marker CD 34 was 18.7%, and the CD34 and CD45 double positive rate was 12.2%.CONCLUSION:Hemoglobin Bart ’ s hydrops fetalis ’ s skin fibroblasts can be successfully induced into “in-tegration-free” iPSC.This cell line has the ability to differentiate into 3 germ layers , and can be differentiated into hemato-poietic precursors when cocultured with OP 9 cells.

OBJECTIVE:To provide reference for the perfection of relevant system of licensed pharmacist qualification exami-nation in China. METHODS:Using the self-made network questionnaire,the survey was conducted among the candidates who par-ticipated in the National Licensed Pharmacist Qualification Examination in 2016 about their evaluation on relevant system of li-censed pharmacist qualification examination. The survey data was analyzed statistically so as to put forward suggestions. RE-SULTS:A total of 4209 questionnaires were collected,including 4205 valid questionnaires with effective rate of 99.90%. 41.90%of the interviewed candidates thought that the examination paper was a good reflection of"to determine the content of the examina-tion according to the need"principle;nearly half of them thought the paper content was reasonable;69.25% thought that the prac-tice of examination paper for the overall promotion of candidates'professional skills and practice level of performance were not sat-isfactory. 80.10% and 68.94% of the interviewed candidates thought that the outline and guidelines of the new national licensed pharmacist qualification examination could guide the preparation of examination. More than half of the interviewed candidates be-lieved that pharmaceutical services and practical experience should be added in examination outline. 49.51% of the candidates thought the persons majoring in pharmacy and TCM should be allowed to participate in this examination. 39.52% of the candidates thought that the requirements of education degree for applicants should be increase to college or bachelor degree or above. 57.18%of the respondents considered that the validity of qualified branch scores should be extended. CONCLUSIONS:The vast majority of the candidates give a high evaluation on the new version of the national licensed pharmacist qualification examination outline and guideline,while some people think that the outline of the examination,the form of examination and entry criteria and other aspects need to be improved. It is recommended that the state attach importance to the cultivation of pharmacy service personnel,raise the threshold of entry and examination,improve the quality of examination quality and improve the form of examination and focus on requirements according to the different areas of practice examination.

Objective To observe the perioperative management of cardiac surgery and extracorporeal circulation method in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency(G6PD).Methods Ten patients with G6PD deficiency underwent uneventful cardiac surgery procedures between January 2005 and December 2010.Twenty patients who had non-G6PD deficiency were as a control group,the selected conditions were the same gender,age,body mass,the risk of heart disease surgery.The preoperative management in patients with G6PD deficiency mainly focused on avoiding the drugs implicated in haemolysis,reducing the surgical stress,using moderate hypothermia extracorporeal circulation and enhancing blood conservation.Observed indicators included the assisted ventilation time,urine volume,the drainage volume of chest tube,the amount transfusion of red blood cells and plasma,the level of hemoglobin and serum total bilirubin in the 2nd day after surgery,ICU stay.Results Compared with the control group,patients with G6PD deficiency had no significant difference in duration of ventilation after the operation,drainage,urine,Hgb,bilirubin levels,and blood transfusion[(9.3 ± 4.5)h vs (8.6 ± 5.7)h,(2100 ±670)ml vs (1950 ± 490) ml,(253 ± 146)ml vs (260 ± 120)ml,(1.3 ± 1.0)U vs (1.8 ± 1.2)U,(96 ± 25)g/L vs (99 ± 12)g/L,and (24 ± 8)μmol/L vs (27 ± 1 l)μmol/L,t =0.978,2.032,1.257,0.891,2.182,2.271,and 1.329,all P ＞ 0.05].The duration of ICU discharge was significantly longer in the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient group[ (2.6 ± 0.6)d vs (1.8 ± 1.5)d,t =2.704,P ＜ 0.05].Conclusions Cardiac surgery can be performed safely in patients with G6PD deficiency with enhanced perioperative management.

Objective As brucellosis epidemic is constantly rising in Harbin in recent years,we analyze the epidemic and surveillance results at municipal surveillance spots of brucellosis from 2008 to 2012,to find out the epidemic characteristics of Harbin brucellosis,and to provide scientific evidences for development of countermeasures.Methods Brucellosis surveillance data which were collected from the National Diseases Surveillance Information Management System from 2008 to 2010,the epidemic characteristics of Harbin brucellosis (including regional,time and population distribution) and the municipal surveillance results in Harbin (including epidemiological investigation and serological surveillance) were analyzed.Results A total of 1348 cases of brucellosis were reported in Harbin from 2008 to 2012,and the incidence of brucellosis increased from 1.79 per 100 000 to 4.62 per 100 000; in addition to Pingfang District (2008-2011) and Fangzheng County(2009 and 2011),all eighteen districts (counties or cities) in Harbin had reported epidemic in the past five years,the highest incidence was in Yilan (382 cases),and the incidence was significantly increased in Shuangcheng(111 cases) and Binxian(73 cases) in 2012; the time of onset focused on March to July,which accounted for 62.54％(843/1348) of annual incidence; age distribution,mainly young adults aged 30 to 60(71.59％,965/1348); gender distribution predominantly male (75.45％,1017/1348) ; occupational distribution farmers(84.87％,1144/1348),and the number of infected students and house workers were also high in the past five years(4.23％,57/1348 and 2.52％,34/1348).In the municipal surveillance spots from 2008 to 2012,13 010 cases were surveyed,of which 2695 cases received serological test,the positive rate was 3.93％ (106/2695),and the positive rate was increasing year by year.Conclusions The incidence of Harbin brucellosis is increasing year by year,onset season mainly in the spring and summer,young men with a high incidence,and farmers are main professional people.Brucellosis has also occurred among students,domestic workers,which should be vigilant.Therefore,we should further strengthen surveillance,timely analyze and report the epidemic,and provide a scientific basis to ensure each measure of eliminating the sources of infection put in place,vigorously develop health education,strengthen inter-departments cooperation,and control the spread of epidemic.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of modified Shengma Biejia Decoction (MSBD) combined with CAG program in treating elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with yin deficiency toxin stasis syndrome (YDTSS).

METHODSTotally 46 elderly AML patients were assigned to the treatment group (24 cases; treated with MSBD + CAG) and the control group (22 cases; treated with CAG + placebos of Chinese medicine) according to random digit table. The therapeutic course of CM placebo or MSBD was 21 days. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were observed. Meanwhile, physical state (ECOG Score), transfusion dependency, and TCM syndrome score were compared before and after treatment.

RESULTS(1) The complete remission rate was 54% (13/24) and the objective response rate (ORR) was 71% (17/24) in the treatment group, obviously higher than those of the control group [36% (8/22); 54% (13/24)], with statistical difference (P = 0.036, 0.042). When comparing the efficacy based on risk level, the moderate and poor ORR was 71% (10/14) and 67% (6/9) in the treatment group, and 57% (8/14) and 33% (2/6) in the control group, with statistical difference between the two groups (P = 0.048; P = 0.010). (2) Compared with before treatment in the same group, the ECOG score significantly decreased, the average infusion time of red cells and platelets were markedly prolonged in the treatment group after treatment (P < 0.05). ECOG score, the average infusion time of red cells and platelets were significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group after treatment (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with before treatment in the same group, scores of fever, hemorrhage, and bone pain were markedly reduced in the control group (P < 0.05); scores of fever, fatigue, hemorrhage, dry mouth, and bone pain were markedly reduced in the treatment group (P < 0.05). Better effect in relief of fever, fatigue, hemorrhage, dry mouth, and so on was obtained in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). (4) In aspect of hematotoxicity, the incidence of neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia was obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group [29.2% (7/24) vs 54.5% (12/22); 16.7% (4/ 24) vs 45.5% (10/22); 33.3% (8/24) vs 63.6% (14/22); P < 0.05]. The incidence of fatigue and anorexia was obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group [37.5% (9/24) vs 63.6% (14/22), 37.5% (9/24) vs 81.8% (18/22); P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONMSBD combined with CAG program in treating elderly AML patients with YDTSS, with efficacy enhancing toxicity reducing effect, had distinct advantages in improving physical condition and clinical symptoms, and reducing transfusion dependency.

Aclarubicin ; therapeutic use ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cytarabine ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Yin Deficiency ; drug therapy