Objective To explore the distribution rule of metastatic lymph node in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods 315 histopathologically proved NPC patients were studied retrospectively.All patients had had their nasopharynx scanned by MRI with plain and contrast enhanced sequences.The distribution of lymph node was divided into six cervical levels plus retro- pharyngeal nodes(RN) according to RTOG guidelines proposed in 2003.Results 254 out of 315 patients (80.6%) had lymph node involvement,with 81 in the right neck alone,72 left neck alone,and 101 both necks;73 in RN alone,21 neck node alone,and 160 both necks and RN node.Skip metastasis was found in only 4 patients (1.6%).There was significant difference in BN metastasis between the primary tumor be- ing located merely on the superior/posterior wall and lateral wall (78% vs 49%,P＜0.01).The incidence of lymph node metastasis in T1,T2,T3 and T4 patients was 73.5%,91.2%,71.9%,73.5% (P＞0.05), respectively,without significant difference between early or advanced T stage in node distribution (P＞0.05).Conclusions The incidence of lymph node metastasis is high in nasopharyngeal carcinoma,with retropharyngeal node being the most commonly involved,but the incidence of skip metastasis is very low. There is no significant difference between T stage and the incidence of lymph node metastasis.So is the dis- tribution of metastatic node.

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the protein and gene expressions of Bax, Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 in cerebral cortex of type 2 diabetic rats with cognitive impairment (CI), and to explore the mechanism of EA in improving the learning and memory abilities. Methods: A total of 100 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into a normal group (n=10) and a model group (n=90) by random number table method. Rats in the model group were intraperitoneally injected with a small dose of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish the type 2 diabetic models, after being fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet for 1 month. Twenty CI rats were selected from the 50 successful model rats by the Morris water maze (MWM) test and randomly divided into a model group and an EA group according to the blood glucose level and MWM data (n=10). Rats in the EA group received acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36), Neiting (ST 44) and Yishu (Extra), of which Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiting (ST 44) were stimulated by EA apparatus, 20 min/time, once a day for 6 d a week and 4 consecutive weeks. The rats in the model and the normal groups were fixed without treatment. After 4-week treatment, the random blood glucose level of the rats was measured; the learning and memory abilities of rats were measured by MWM; terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect apoptotic cells; Western blot (WB) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to detect the protein and gene expressions of Bax, Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 in cerebral cortex. Results: After modeling, the random blood glucose level and the escape latency tested by MWM were significantly increased, and the number of crossing the platform tested by the MWM was decreased in the EA and model groups, and were significantly different from those in the normal group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the differences between the model group and the EA group were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). After 4-week treatment, the random glucose level and the escape latency tested by MWM were significantly increased (both P<0.05), and the number of crossing the original platform tested by the MWM was significantly reduced (P<0.01), the protein and gene expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly increased (all P<0.001), the protein and gene expressions of Bcl-2 were significantly reduced (both P<0.001), and the number of neuron apoptosis was significantly increased (P<0.001) in the model group than in the normal group; the random blood glucose level was significantly reduced (P<0.05), the escape latency tested by MWM was significantly shortened (P<0.05), and the number of crossing the original platform tested by MWM was significantly increased (P<0.05), the protein and gene expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly reduced (all P<0.001), the protein and gene expressions of Bcl-2 were significantly increased (both P<0.001), and the number of neuron apoptosis was significantly reduced (P<0.001) in the EA group than in the model group. Conclusion: EA can improve the learning and memory damages induced by type 2 diabetic model rats with CI; the action mechanism may be achieved via anti-apoptosis.

OBJECTIVESTo study the expression of nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (Nampt) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in gastric carcinoma and investigate their correlations to clinicopathologic features and prognostic significance.

METHODSThe proteins of Nampt and VEGF-A in 68 specimens of gastric carcinoma and 59 specimens normal gastric tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry during January 2000 to December 2004, and the 68 patients were followed up.

RESULTSNampt protein was detected in the cytoplasm of both tissues, and Nampt in gastric carcinoma (13 ± 5) were significantly higher than that in normal gastric tissue (6 ± 3) (t = 7.46, P < 0.01). The expression of Nampt was correlated to invasive depth (F = 4.693, P = 0.034), lymph node metastasis (F = 4.027, P = 0.049), clinical TNM stage (F = 9.979, P = 0.002), but not to gender, age, tumor location, tumor size, differentiation (P > 0.05). The expression of Nampt is correlated with survival of patients that underwent surgical resection for gastric cancer. The survival rate of patients in negative of Nampt was very higher than that of the positive patients, and its co-expression with VEGF-A showed a trend towards poorer survival. The positive correlation was found between the expression of Nampt and VEGF-A in gastric carcinoma (r = 0.293, P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of Nampt is positively correlated to that of VEGF-A in gastric carcinoma. The correlation between the expression of Nampt and VEGF-A in gastric carcinoma plays an important role cooperatively in carcinogenesis, development and metastasis of gastric carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

AIMTo study the preparation of bovine serum albumin nanoparticles surface-modified with glycyrrhizin(BSA-NP-GL) targeting to hepatocytes.

METHODSThe bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (BSA-NP) were prepared by desolvation process. Glycyrrhizin (GL) was oxidized by sodium periodate to be conjugated to surface reactive amino groups (SRAG) of the BSA-NP. The SRAG were quantified by spectrophotometric method using 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid(TNBS). Glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) hydrolyzed from GL, which was on the surface of BSA-NP-GL was assayed by HPLC after isolation by sephadex G-50. Both methods were used to verify the conjugation achieved. HPLC was used to determine surface density of GL on BSA-NP-GL.

RESULTSThe amount of SRAG of the BSA-NP-GL decreased by 19.6% compared with normal BSA-NP. The amount of GL molecule was 9.2% of the total determined SRAG of BSA-NP. The mean diameter of the BSA-NP-GL was 73 nm with round shape. The stability of BSA-NP-GL was constant when it was stored at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C during 10 days.

CONCLUSIONBSA-NP-GL was successfully prepared, which is considered to establish an experimental foundation for further research on its ability for targeting to hepatocytes.

Cross-Linking Reagents ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; chemistry ; Nanotechnology ; Particle Size ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Surface Properties ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the absorption and separation of different glycoside on different macropore resins.

METHODTake baikal skullcap root, cape jasmine fruit and white peony root as samples and study the different characterstics of absorption and separation of these samples on macropore resins such as D101 and so on.

RESULTThe static absorption effect of the the three aglycones on six different macropore resins is baicalin > lactiflorin > gardoside. Their elution are 75% CH3OH, 25% CH3OH, and 45% CH3OH. Their elution rates are 60%, 93%, and 93%.

CONCLUSIONSimilar molecules may not have similar absorption abilities on same macropore resins, but the effect of absorption has something to do with the structures of the molecules, the more double-bonds the molecules have, the greater the absorption force the resins have.

Absorption ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Jasminum ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Resins, Plant ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical outcomes of superior labrum from anterior to posterior (SLAP) repair and biceps tenodesis in treating type I SLAP injury.

METHODSFrom March 2009 to March 2012, 38 patients with type II SLAP injury were treated with SLAP repair and biceps tenodesis, and all patients were unilateral SLAP injury. Sixteen patients treated with biceps tenodesis included 8 males and 7 females with an average age of (49.3±3.7) years old (ranged, 45 to 54); 10 cases were on the left side and 6 cases on the right side; 10 cases were caused by falling down, 2 cases were caused by throwing damage and 4 cases were caused by daily life damage; the time from injury to operation were from 3 to 8 weeks. Twenty-two patients treated with SLAP repair included 14 males and 8 females with an average age of (49.0±2.8) years old (ranged, 44 to 56); 13 cases were on the left side and 9 cases were on the right side; 14 cases were caused by falling down, 5 cases were caused by throwing damage and 3 cases were caused by daily life damage; the time from injury to operation were from 3 to 7 weeks. Preoperative, postoperative at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years' UCLA and SST score were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThere was no significant differences in UCLA and SST score between two groups before operation. At 6 months after operation, UCLA and SST score in biceps tenodesis group was higher than SLAP group, and action,range of anteflexion, strength of anteflexion, degree of satisfaction in biceps tenodesis group was higher than SLAP group. There was no significant meaning in SST and UCLA score between two groups at 1 and 2 years after operation.

CONCLUSIONShort-term efficacy of biceps tenodesis for SLAP injury is better than SLAP repair, but long-term efficacy is fairly.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Tendon Injuries ; surgery ; Tenodesis

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine (WM) treatments on mycoplasmal pneumonia in children and the changes in the serum cytokines.

METHODSNinety children with mycoplasmal pneumonia were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group. TCM was given orally and azithromycin at the daily dose of 10 mg/kg was administered intravenously in the treatment group. In the control group, only intravenous azithromycin was given. After a 7-day treatment, the response rate, time of symptom disappearance, and serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha were observed.

RESULTSThe total response rate was 93.33% in the treatment group and 73.33% in the control group, showing a significantly better therapeutic effect in the treatment group (P<0.05). The combined treatments also showed better effects in alleviating fever, coughing and rales (P<0.05), and resulted in more obvious reduction in the serum levels of cytokines (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCombined treatment with TCM and WM produce good therapeutic effects in children with mycoplasmal pneumonia.

Azithromycin ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytokines ; blood ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; blood ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEStudy the characteristics of absorption and separation of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription using macroporous resin.

METHODStudy the techniquecs and characteristics of absorption and separation of a sample by macroporous resin, which is composed of coptis root, rhubarb and common anemarrhena rhizome, containing alkaloid, anthraquinone and saponin.

RESULTIt is proved by qualitative and quantitative researches studies that after absorbed and separated by optimized technics process, most prime effective components or section fractions in traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription can be reserved maintained.

CONCLUSIONIf the techniquecs of separation is properly designed, the same kind of macropore resin can absorbd and separate various effective components or section in traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription which have with different chemical structures efficiently.

Alkaloids ; isolation & purification ; Anemarrhena ; chemistry ; Anthraquinones ; isolation & purification ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Resins, Synthetic ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analyze the prognostic factors of colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastasis treated by simultaneous colorectal and liver resection.

METHODSThe clinical and follow-up data of 44 colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastases who underwent simultaneous colorectal and liver resection from Jan. 1993 to Jan. 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. Survival rate was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method, and was compared using log-rank test. Prognostic factors were analyzed by multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTSThe overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 86.3%, 40.9% and 25.0%, respectively. The lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion by cancer cells from the primary tumour were found to affect prognosis significantly, while gender, age, tumor location, histopathological types, the number and distribution of liver metastases were not. Multivariate analysis revealed that the lymph node metastasis was the only independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSIONSimultaneous liver and colorectal resection can be performed and may achieve good outcome in colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastases, especially in those without lymph node metastasis.

Colectomy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Rectum ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

AIM To explore the curative effects,adverse events,effects on immunity function and cost-effectiveness of Aiyu Capsules (Cremastrae pseudobulbus,Solanum lyratum,Angelicae sinensis Radix,etc.) or Fufang Banmao Capsules (Mylabris,Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Astragali Radix,etc.) combined with icotinib hydrochloride in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).METHODS One hundred and sixty patients with advanced NSCLC were randomly divided into three groups.The patients in icotinib hydrochloride group (n =80) took icotinib hydrochloride,125 mg each time,three times a day;the patients in Aiyu Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group or Fufang Banmao Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group were treated with Aiyu Capsules (40 cases,three pills each time,three times a day) or Fufang Banmao Capsules (40 cases,one pill each time,three times a day) combined with icotinib hydrochloride (125 mg each time,three times a day),respectively.Curative effects,adverse events,serum tumor markers,dendritic cell subsets and cost-effectiveness among the three groups were compared.RESULTS Eight weeks after the treatment,effective rates in the Aiyu Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group (82.50％) and Fufang Banmao Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group (97.5％) were significantly higher than that in the icotinib hydrochloride group (73.5％) (P ＜ 0.05).Six-month survival rates in the icotinib hydrochloride group,Aiyu Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group and Fufang Banmao Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group were 93.7％,97.5％ and 97.5％,respectively;one-year survival rates in the three groups were 53.7％,72.5％ and 75.0％,respectively;two-year survival rates in the three groups were 20.0％,37.5％ and 40.0％,respectively.One-year,two-year survival rates in the Aiyu Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group and Fufang Banmao Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group were significantly higher than those in the icotinib hydrochloride group (P ＜ 0.05).Myeloid dendritic cell (mDC) subsets' increases (d8week-d1) in the Aiyu Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group and Fufang Banmao Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group were significantly higher than that in the icotinib hydrochloride group (P ＜ 0.05).There was no statistical significance in plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) subsets' change among the three groups (P ＞ 0.05).Changes of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA),cytokeratin-19-fragment (CYFRA21-1),neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in the Aiyu Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group and Fufang Banmao Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group were higher than those in the icotinib hydrochloride group (P ＜ 0.05).Treatment costs in the Aiyu Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group and Fufang Banmao Capsules + icotinib hydrochloride group were significantly lower than that in the icotinib hydrochloride group (P ＜ 0.05).No obvious statistical difference in adverse events was found among the three groups (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION The curative effects and cost-effectiveness of Aiyu Capsules or Fufang Banmao Capsules combined with icotinib hydrochloride are better than those of icotinib hydrochloride alone in the treatment of advanced NSCLC.