Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Thrombosis ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Embolism ; complications ; Venous Thrombosis ; complications

Objective To analyze the prognostic factors of patients with leukemia treated with single fraction total body irradiation (SFTBI) followed by hernatopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).Methods From January 2001 to September 2008, 102 patients received HSCT. The differences of the survival rate, relapse rate and incidence of interstitial pneumonia (IP) between groups regarding different genders, ages, pathological types, transplantation methods and TBI parameters were compared and the factors related with the survival rate, relapse rate and incidence of IP were analyzed. Results The followup time ranged from 15 to 1482 days (median, 406 days). The follow-up rate was 95.1%. 86 and 55patients were followed up more than one year and three years. The 1-and 3-year survival rates were 59.0%and 44.0%. In univariate analysis, the 3-year survival rate was signifcantly different between the groups with and without relapse before transplantation (20% vs. 55%, χ2 = 6.33, P = 0. 012), allogeneictranplantation versus autologous tranplantation (39% vs. 68%, χ2 = 8.06, P = 0.005), grade 3 or more acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) and grade 0 -2 aGVHD (0% vs. 54%, χ2 = 7.52, P = 0.006),with and without relapse after transplantation (19% vs. 58%, χ2 = 10.13, P =0.001), with and without IP (23% vs. 58%, χ2 =8.35, P=0.004). Multivariate analysis showed that grade 3 or more aGVHD was the only statistically significant prognostic factors (χ2 = 12. 74 ,P =0. 000). The l-and 3-year relapse rateswere 30. 0% and 50. 0%. The incidence of relapse was obviously higher in the group with relapse before transplantation than that without (47% vs. 16%, χ2 =7. 32, P=0. 007). Multivariate analysis showed thatrelapse before transplantation was a significant factor predicting relapse after transplantation (χ2 = 9. 39,P =0. 020). The cumulative incidence of IP was 35.0%. The incidence of IP was different between groups with dose homogeneity > 3% and ≤ 3% (27% vs. 4%, χ2 = 5. 21, P = 0. 023), with and without acute parotitis (34% vs. 3%, χ2 = 14. 15, P= 0.000), allogeneic transplantation group and autologous transplantation group (31% vs. 8%, χ2= 7.70, P= 0.006). Multivariate analysis showed that transplantation methods, acute parotitis and dose homogeneity were statistically significant factors in predictingIP (χ2 = 10. 08 , 10. 08 and 7.69 , P = 0. 002 , 0. 002 and 0. 010 , respectively) . Conclusions Patients who develop grade 3 or higher aGVHD have poor prognosis. Dose homogeneity influences the incidence of IP. Patients undergoing allogeneic transplantation are apt to have IP. Acute parotitis is related with IP and might be a predictor.

Objective To investigate the correction of manual monitor unit calculation for asymmetric fields using the Varian enhanced dynamic wedge.Methods Monitor unit (MU) was calculated when the field sizes ranged from 6 cm × 6 cm to 20 cm × 20 cm at a depth of 5 cm using Varian Eclipse and both 6 MV and 10 MV X-rays data from Varian Clinac 23EX for all seven available EDW angles,including 10°15°,20°,25°,30°,45°and 60° The field size was kept fixed,and the distance between geometry center of field and isocenter was increased in increments of 1 cm,ranging from -9 cm to 4 cm.When the field size was the same,the correction factor was defined as the ratio of MU calculated for asymmetric field to monitor unit calculated for symmetric field.To ensure the correction factors obtained above could be used in routine manual calculation for EDW fields,measurements were made at a depth of 5 cm for 30°and 45°EDW with field size of 10 cm × 10 cm using 6 MV X-rays.Results The correction factor was independent of field dimensions,so the average value was adopted to make practical calculation.Without correction,the maximum error was 18% for 30°,and 30% for 45.After the results of monitor unit calculation were corrected,the largest error was - 1.8% and - 1.7% for 30° and 45°EDW,respectively.The magnitude of errors was within the clinical tolerance limits.Conclusions For asymmetric EDW fields,there is very large difference between the prescribed dose by manual calculation using EDW factors measured for symmetric fields and that delivered during treatment in order to obtain correct dose to reference point.The errors are decreased to be acceptable after correction.The method of correction is simple and independent of machine specific beam parameters.

Objective To evaluate the clinical feasibility of quality assurance of intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) through a series of clinical case studies. Methods Helios inverse planning system was used to provide optimized IMRT treatment plans for brain tumor, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, spinal metastatic tumor and prostatic cancer. To verify the conformation between the fluence map of each beam predicted by the planning system and that actually delivered, a piece of film under a homogeneous polystyrene phantom was irradiated vertically with each of the beams to record the deposited dose. This measured fluence map was compared with that predicted by the planning. The dose distribution was recorded by irradiating the film in an anthropomorphic phantom using patients' treatment plan, then compared with that predicted by the planning. An ionization chamber in a water phantom was used to measure the central point dose and another eccentric point dose. Results The fluence map measured by the film was well consistent with that predicted by the planning. The error between the measured dose and predicted dose in the central point was less than 3%, whereas the error of the dose in another eccentric point varied greatly. The isodose distribution (on axial plane) measured by the film was consisent with the predicted one. Conclusions The procedures for quality assurance of IMRT are feasible in our experience.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bushen Qiangji Granule (BQG) in treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with Shen-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome.

METHODSA randomized controlled and single-blinded prospective clinical trial was carried out on 68 patients, who were randomly assigned into the BQG group treated with BQG alone and the combined treated (CT) group treated with BQG and sulfasalazine, six-month medication was successively applied to both groups. The therapeutic effects were evaluated before treatment and at the end of the 1st, 3rd and 6th month of the treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 81.82% in the BQG group and 86.82% in the CT group after 6 months of treatment, showing no significant difference between the two groups, but that after 1 months of treatment in the BQG group was lower than that in the combined group (15.15% vs. 27.59%, P < 0.01). Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath AS function index (BASFI), and clinical symptoms such as ache and morning stiffness, as well as indexes of Schober test, activity of thoracic cage, finger-ground distance, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and Creactive protein (CRP) in both groups were improved remarkably. BQG showed a time-dependant' effect, the therapeutic effect intensified as the time went by (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Moreover, the effect initiating time was earlier in the CT group than that in the BQG group.

CONCLUSIONBQG has satisfactory efficacy, good safety and compliance, and is convenient for administering, therefore, it has broad applying prospect with high exploiting value.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Safety ; Single-Blind Method ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; drug therapy ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

The paper described the rationality of traditional and modern application of prepared decoction pieces of herbal medicine on basis of application, statistics and comparison analysis of three forms of drugs of traditional Chinese herbal pieces prepared for decoction, prepared decoction pieces in small packing and granules; and illustrated different opinions correlative to the three forms of drugs; put forward the counter-measures and proposals for the problems facing the traditional Chinese herbal pieces for decoction; the paper stated clearly that the traditional Chinese herbal pieces for decoction should not be replaced, instead, the viewpoint and the reasons on its application must be holding on; and the trend of development and expectations of the Chinese herbal pieces for decoction were predicted as well.
Dosage Forms ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Phytotherapy ; methods

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is a natural epidemic zoonotic pathogen. However, no reports have been published regarding the isolation, identification and full-length genome of EMCV from a local aardvark population. In present study, an EMCV isolate HNXX13 was isolated from aardvarks named Huainan-pig in Henan Province. The systematic identification, full-length genome sequencing and molecular characteristic analysis of the isolate HNXX13 were conducted. The result showed that the isolate was spherical with a diameter of 24-30 nm, neither heat- nor acid-resistant, sensitive to trypsin, insensitive to chloroform, not protected by bivalent cationic, and the specific fluorescence was observed in the cytoplasm of BHK-21 cells infected with the isolate by using indirect fluorescence assay. The full-length genome of EMCV HNXX13 generated a 7 725bp sequence (GenBank: F771002), with 81.0%-99.9% nucleotide identity to reference strains from different animals, and 99.5% with a Chinese reference strain isolated earlier from a commercial pig herd. The phylogenetic tree based on the full-length genome and ORF sequences identified that all EMCV strains were divided into three groups G1, G2 and G3, and strain HNXX13 belonging to the G1 group with other Chinese reference strains. The result also identified that this EMCV infection could cause severe clinical signs in a local aardvark population, and enriches the molecular epidemiological data of EMCV in China. Regional differences exist in EMCV genome and transmission is limited within a certain area. However, the cross-infection and transmission of EMCV between aardvark and mice appears most likely. Mutations have occurred in some amino acids of EMCV strain HNXX13 during the transmission in local aardvark herd and these mutations might make the virus easier to infect the aardvark.
Animals ; Animals, Wild ; virology ; Cardiovirus Infections ; veterinary ; virology ; China ; Encephalomyocarditis virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genome, Viral ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Xenarthra ; virology

OBJECTIVETo select a proper Ganoderma luciderm strain for the fruiting body production.

METHODThe strains were cultivated on the agar media and in the liquid media, respectively. Then the strains were inoculated onto the solid medium made from agricultural products (such as wheat bran, corn powder, wood meal, etc.) and cultured for a certain period.

RESULTStrains, which were easier to produce polyporic tissues at the vegetative growth stage, would be more quickly to form fruiting body with high quality and yield of the spores.

CONCLUSIONAppearance of the polyporic tissues at the mycelium vegetative growth stage could be used as a marker for the strain selection for the G. luciderm substituted cultivation.

Bioreactors ; Culture Media ; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal ; growth & development ; Ganoderma ; growth & development ; Mycelium ; growth & development ; Triticum ; Zea mays

OBJECTIVETo isolate, culture and identify a dog periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC) line in vitro.

METHODSThe adult dog periodontal ligament cells were isolated by limited dilution of culture cell for single cell clone. Cells originated from one of these clones were assessed through colony-forming efficiency and immunocytochemistry assay and alkaline phosphatase stain was used to identify the source of adult dog periodontal stem cells, at the same time, PDLSC were induced with mineralizatin solution and was found to have long protrude like an osteoblast. Differentiation of PDLSC were assessed. Mineralized potential was studied by Von-Kossa staining.

RESULTSThe dog PDLSC expressed STRO-1, which was the marker of mesenchymal stem cells. Also Vimentin, osteoblast-like marker alkaline phosphatase and Collagen-I expressed weakly. Cells were clonegenic, highly proliferative cells and capable of differentiating into osteoblasts/cementoblasts.

CONCLUSIONThe evidence suggests that the cultured cells were stem cells from adult dog periodontal ligament.

Adult ; Adult Stem Cells ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Dental Cementum ; Dogs ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Osteoblasts ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stem Cells

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for slimming.

METHODSEighty cases of simple obesity were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 40 cases in each group. The acupuncture group were treated with body acupuncture, electroacupuncture and auricular acupoint taping and pressing, with Tianshu (ST 25), Guanyuan (CV 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) etc. selected for body acupuncture, and auricular acupoints Shenmen, Neifenmi (endocrine), Pi (spleen) etc. selected for ear acupoint taping and pressing. And the medication group were treated with oral administration of Sibutramine. Body weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences and waist-hip ratio were determined before and after treatment to evaluate therapeutic effect of slimming.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 87.5% in the acupuncture group was similar to 82.5% in the medication group (P > 0.05). After treatment, body weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences and waist-hip ratio significantly decreased in the two groups, but the improvement of waist circumferences and waist-hip ratio in the acupuncture group was better than that in the medication group (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture has a definite therapeutic effect in slimming and it can effectively improve body weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences and waist-hip ratio in the patient of simple obesity.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; therapy ; Waist-Hip Ratio