Objective To investigate the prevalence of liver damage in B-cell lymphoma patients with positive HBV surface antigen(HBsAg)after rituximab and chemotherapy.Methods Records of 19 B-cell lymphoma patients with positive HBV surface antigen(HBsAg)after rituximab and chemotherapy from June,2001 to Aug,2007 in Beijing Cancer Hospital were reviewed to analyze the prevalence of liver damage.At the same time,the relationship between the level of HBV-DNA and the damage of liver was analysed.Results According to WHO criteria of liver toxicity,of the 19 patients,12(63.2%)suffered liver damage,4(21.1%)patients in grade Ⅰ,6(31.2%)patients in grade Ⅱ and 2(10.5%)patients in grade Ⅲ.None of the patients in this study experienced grade Ⅳ liver toxicity.Of the 6 patients with HBV-DNA＞104 copy/ml before therapy,5(83.3%)suffered liver damage.Of the 5 patients with HBV-DNA＜104 copy/ml before therapy,3(60%)suffered liver damage.Conclusion The prevalence of liver damage is higher in B-cell lymphoma patients with positive HBsAg after rituximab and chemotherapy.These patients should be closely monitored for liver function when they received rituximab therapy and should reveive anti-HBV therapy.

This study is to establish an HPLC-DAD-ELSD method for simultaneous determination of 5 flavones and saponins in Rhizoma Anemarrhenae including neo-mangiferin, mangiferin, timosaponin B II, timosaponin B III and timosaponin A III. Samples were analyzed on a Merck Purospher STAR column(4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile( A) and 0. 1% formic acid (B) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL · min(-1). The column temperature was set at 40 °C. The DAD detector wavelength was set at 254 nm. The ELSD conditions were as follows: the nebulizing gas flow rate was 2.0 L · min(-1) and temperature of drift tube was 105 °C. The volume was 10 μL. The five compounds were well separated with good linear correlations. The mean recoveries were between 102.0%-104.0%. This method was quick and reliable which provides a foundation for quality control of R. Anemarrhenae.
Anemarrhena ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Flavones ; analysis ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Saponins ; analysis

This study was purposed to investigate the role of cytokines in pathogenesis of lymphoma-associated anemia. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and EPO in serum from 45 lymphoma patients and 12 normal controls were detected by using ELISA, the EPOR level on bone marrow cells were detected by flow cytometry, the CFU-E of bone marrow cultured in vitro was counted under inverted microscope. The results showed that 25 (55.6%) out of 45 newly diagnosed lymphoma patients had anemia before diagnosis, 13 (28.9%) had anemia during therapy, 7 (15.5%)never had anemia. The IFN-γ and TNF-α levels in serum of patients with moderate and severe anemia were significantly higher than those in patients with mild anemia and without anemia as well as normal controls. The EPO, IL-6 and IFN-γ levels correlated negatively with Hb concentration in patients, the EPOR level in patients without anemia significantly higher than that in patients with anemia and normal controls. The bone marrow CFU-E amount in patients showed positive correlation with Hb and EPOR levels. It is concluded that the increased IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6 may contribute to the anemia in lymphoma, and yet the EPO and EPOR levels are elevated to balance negative regulatory effects on hematopoiesis and maintain normal hematopoiesis.
Adult ; Aged ; Anemia ; blood ; etiology ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytokines ; blood ; Erythropoietin ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lymphoma ; blood ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Erythropoietin ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of a modified baseline BEACOPP regimen(bleomycin+etoposide+adriamycin+cyclophosphamide+vincristine+ procarbazine hydrochloride+ prednisone) in the treatment of advanced Hodgkin 's lymphoma (HL). Methods:From March 2006 to September 2008, 22 previously untreated patients with stages Ⅱ(bulky), Ⅲ and Ⅳ HL were treated with a modified baseline BEACOPP regimen. Each patient was scheduled to receive 6 to 8 cycles of BEACOPP with consolidation radiotherapy to bulky (≥5 cm) or residual disease.Results:There were 11 males and 11 females with a median age of 28 years (15 to 61 years old). Twelve patients (54.5%) had nodular sclerosis HL, and 10(45.5%) had mixed cellularity HL. There were 4 patients in stageⅡ, 7 in stage Ⅲ and 11 in stage Ⅳ. Sixteen patients (72.7%) achieved a complete remission (CR) and 5 patients (22.7%) had partial remission (PR). The total effective rate (CR+PR) was 95.5%. Among all kinds of clinical factors International Prognostic Score (IPS) had significant effect on CR rate (P=0.011). The 1-, 2- and 3-year total survival rates were the same (95.5%); the 1-, 2- and 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 72.7%, 53.1% and 53.1%, respectively;the 1-, 2- and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 85.9%, 76.4% and 76.4%,respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the gender, IPS and whether achieving CR had significant effects on PFS (P<0.05). The main toxic effects were bone marrow depression and liver injury. Three patients (13.6%) had grade Ⅲ drug-induced lung injury. No treatment-related death was observed.Conclusion:The modified baseline BEACOPP regimen was effective and safe for treatment of newly diagnosed patients with advanced HL.

Objective To explore the feasibility of expansion for NK cells and the therapeutic efficacy improvement of rituximab by combinational Chemo-immunotherapy of rituximab and inter]eukin-2. To establish a clinical chemo-immunotherapy therapy regime of rituximab and interleukin-2(IL-2) for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods The clinical data of 24 initially treated inpatients with DLBCL from Aug 2008 to Mar 2009 were analyzed by prospective non-randomized study. Patients in the treatment group (12 cases) were treated by IL-2 plus R-CHOP regime and those in the control group (12 cases)only by R-CHOP. The absolute quantity of NK cells before and after IL-2 and/or R-CHOP treatment in both groups were detected with FCM and compared, and the therapy efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated.Results The complete remission (CR) rate was 60%(6/10) and the overall response (OR)rate was 80%(8/10)in the treatment group. The CR rate was 50%(5/10) and the OR rate was 70 %(7/10) in the control group.The proliferation of the NK cells in the treatment group was significantly effective compared with that in the control group (P=0.015). The descending range of NK cells between pre-and post-treatment in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P =0.005). The quantity of NK cells after treatment by IL-2 was significantly increased than that before treatment by IL-2 in the treatment group (P=0.03). Among 10 patients in the treatment group, 3 cases have got diarrhea and 3 fever. Conclusion Treatment by IL-2 plus R-CHOP can increase the NK cell quantity in patients with DLBCL and may reduce lethal effect for NK cells by chemotherapy. The patients can tolerant the adverse reactions of IL-2 combined with R-CHOP therapy.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of Burkitt lymphoma(BL)and Burkitt-like lymphoma(BLL)and the effect of treatment on 13 cases,and to explore the treatment-related complications and optimal treatment.Methods:Clinical data of 13 BL and BLL patients treated between August 1996 and October 2008 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.All of these patients received chemotherapy as the first-line treatment.The efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated.Results:Of the 13 patients,there were 12 males and 1 female,with a median age of 15 years(ranging from 11 to 62).There were 3 stage Ⅰ cases,2 stage Ⅱ cases,2 stage Ⅲ cases,and 6 stage Ⅳ cases.The advanced stage(stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ)patients accounted for 61.5%(8 cases).CNS was involved in 4 cases and bone marrow was involved in 2 cases at diagnosis.The commonly involved sites included superficial lymph nodes(61.5%),abdominal organs(53.8%),and celiac and retro-pentoneal lymph nodes(38.5%).B symptoms were observed in 7 patients(53.8%).Serum lactate dehydrogenase level was elevated in 8 of 10 cases,while serum udc acid level was elevated in 1 of 10 cases.Eleven patients were diagnosed as BL and 2 patients were diagnosed as BLL.Of the 13 patients,11(84.6%) achieved complete remission(CR)or CR/unconfirmed(CRu),and 1 patient(7.7%) got partial remission(PR).Dudng the follow-up of 8 months(ranging from 5 to 35),6 patients were still alive.The 1-year overall survival,progression-free survival and disease-free survival were 56.98%,32.31% and 39.77%,respectively.Nine patients(69.2%)developed grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ myelosuppression.Conclusion:Intensive short-course chemotherapy is the optimal first-line treatment for BL and BLL.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in a new operative position, flank suspended supine position. Methods The new position hold affected flank suspended by raising the ipsilateral shoulder and haunch with two 3-liter saline bags, and set up waist bridge simultaneously. From March 2010 to October 2010, a series of 173 patients underwent PCNL with the new supine position under epidural anesthesia. The average age was (50± 11) years, and the average bulk of the stone was (2. 9±1.0) cm. All patients were placed in the new supine position. Under ultrasound guidance, the desired calix or pelvis was punctured near the posterior axillary line, then dilating the tract and establishing the 16 F or 20 F tract for PCNL. Results The pelvicaliceal system could be successfully approached in all patients. The procedure was well tolerated in all patients. Mean operation time was (86 ± 34) min. 80. 3% of the patients were rendered free of stones by the initial PCNL. Thirty-four cases had residual stones, and a second PCNL was performed in 16 cases to clear the residual stones. Only 1 patient required blood transfusion.None of the patients suffered visceral injury. Conclusion The new supine position is safe and effective for PCNL.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of hemiplegic muscle spasticity treated with acupuncture on different acupoints in combination with rehabilitation.

METHODSNinety cases of post-stroke muscle spasticity were randomized into a corresponding and central axis acupuncture group (group A), a conventional acupuncture group (group B) and a rehabilitation group (group C), 30 cases in each one. In group A, the acupoints on the Governor Vessel were mainly selected, as well as those on Hand-Shaoyang meridian and Foot-Taiyang meridian. In group B, the conventional needling and rehabilitation training were applied in combination, of which, the acupoints were mainly from Hand and Foot-Yangming meridians, associated with the acupoints of Shaoyang meridian. In group C, only rehabilitation training was applied. The assessments according to modified Ashworth scale and CSS score were performed before treatment, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks treatment respectively.

RESULTSThe level of modified Ashworth scale of the flexor of elbow and wrist was reduced apparently after treatment in group A as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.01). The level of modified Ashworth scale of the flexor of elbow was reduced apparently after treatment in group C as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). There was significant difference on the level change in modified Ashworth scale for the flexor of elbow between group A and group C after 4 weeks treatment (P < 0.05). CSS score decreased significantly in group A as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.01), the improvement after treatment in group A was apparent as compared with the other two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe corresponding and central axis acupuncture can improve muscle tone of hemiplegic limb, which is superior to the effect achieved by the conventional acupuncture in combination with rehabilitation training and the simple rehabilitation training.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hemiplegia ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Spasticity ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

To clarify the necessity of applying appropriate statistical methods to calculate sampling error from data of cluster sample survey, we take a two-stage cluster sample survey developed from a population aged 15 and over as example. We use statistical methods based on the assumption of simple random samples and methods considering complex sample design to analyze our data, respectively. Through comparison, we hope to show the potential effects of using improper statistical methods to estimate sampling error on parameter estimation and hypothesis testing. Using standard error algorithms based on the assumption of simple random samples,the standard errors calculated often underestimate sampling error and the hypothesis testing even gets wrong conclusion. When the statistical methods and statistics package for complex survey data are already available, it is necessary for us to use appropriate methods to analyze and report the sampling errors of data from cluster sample survey.
Cluster Analysis ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Sampling Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of analyzing acylcarnitine in dry filter-paper blood spots by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) which could be applied to detect inborn errors of metabolism in neonates.

METHODSWe obtained filter-paper blood from 26 dead infants from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009. Acylcarnitine and amino acid profiles were obtained with LC-MS/MS. Four infants underwent routine autopsy. The postmortem blood specimens were compared with newborn blood specimens, and with specimens obtained from older infants with metabolic disorders.

RESULTSOf all the 26 patients, 5 (19.2%) were diagnosed as having different kinds of diseases: 3 with methylmalonic acidemia (the concentration of C3, and the ratio of C3/C16, C3/C2 increased), 1 with maple syrup urine disease (the concentration of leucine and isoleucine increased), and 1 with isovaleric acidemia (the concentration of C5 increased).

CONCLUSIONSPostmortem metabolic test can explain infant deaths and provide estimates of deaths attributable to inborn errors of metabolism in NICU. LC-MS/MS is suitable for analysis of postmortem specimens and can be considered for routine application in NICU autopsy.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; blood ; diagnosis ; Autopsy ; Carnitine ; blood ; Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Male ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods