Objective This study is to investigate the set-up accuracy of thermoplastic mask used for immobilization of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients being treated by Intensity Modulated Radia- tion Therapy (IMRT).Methods Nineteen patients with early stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (T1- T2N0M0),treated by fractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy,underwent repeated CTs during their 6-week treatment course.We evaluated their anatomic landmark coordinates in a total of 85 repeated CT data sets and respective x,y and z shifts relative to their position in the 19 treatment-planning reference CTs.Results The translation in x,y,and z-axes with their mean value derived from both positive and negative set-up errors was-0.84 mm(x-axis),+0.65 mm(y-axis) and +0.01 mm(z-axis).Mean target isocenter translation was (0.89?0.69) mm,(0.82?0.79) mm,(0.95?1.24) mm in x,y and z-direc- tions,respectively.The mean total magnitude vector and 95% CI of isocenter motion were 1.87 mm and 4.65 mm.The data measured over the 6-week fractionated course of treatment revealed a slight deterioration of isocenter accuracy.The 95% CI,considered by us to be a valuable parameter for characterizing the sys- tem,of 4.17 mm for measurement within the first 3 weeks increased to 5.12 mm in the last 3 weeks of treat- ment.Conclusions The sequential CT scanning is a pronounced valuable method of evaluating the quality of departmental specific patient positioning procedures.The thermoplastic mask is eyed as well suited tool for immobilization and repositioning of NPC patients receiving intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate how to establish good eating behavior and correct bad eating habits in infants by means of the child health care outpatient clinic and to promote the growth and development of infants.

METHODSInfants aged 0-3 months, who were randomly selected from the urban area of Chongqing, were divided into intervention and control groups. The infants in the intervention group received all intervention measures in the study, while those in the control group received conventional health care. Both groups were subjected to regular monitoring of eating behavior indices including time of introduction of foods, frequency of adding complementary foods and intake frequency of unhealthy foods to analyze the effect of intervention.

RESULTSIn the intervention group, foods were introduced at a reasonable time (P<0.01). Compared with those in the control group, the children aged 9 and 12 months in the intervention group had a significantly higher intake frequency of meat, vegetables and fruits (P<0.01) and a significantly lower intake frequency of sweet drinks (P<0.05), children aged 18 and 24 months in the intervention group had a significantly lower intake frequency of sweet drinks (P<0.01), and the children aged 24 months in the intervention group had a significantly lower intake frequency of ice cream (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEating behavior intervention can promote the proper introduction of foods and regular addition of supplementary foods, as well as decrease the intake frequency of unhealthy foods such as sweet drinks and ice cream, thus improving the eating behavior of infants.

China ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male

AIMTo study the direct effect and kinetics of sodium quercetin-7,4'-disulphate (SQDS) on recombinant human protein kinase CK2 holoenzyme.

METHODSThe recombinant human CK2 holoenzyme activity was assayed by detecting incorporation of 32P of [gamma-32P] ATP into the substrate in various conditions.

RESULTSThe recombinant human CK2 was a second messenger (Ca2+, cAMP and cGMP) independent protein kinase. The characterization and function of the reconstituted holoenzyme were consistent with those of native CK2. SQDS was shown to strongly inhibit the holoenzyme activity of recombinant human protein kinase CK2 with an IC50 of 4.4 mumol.L-1, which was more effective than DRB and A3, known CK2 special inhibitors. Kinetic studies of SQDS on recombinant human CK2 showed: the inhibition was competitive with ATP and noncompetitive with casein.

CONCLUSIONSQDS is a potent inhibitor of protein kinase CK2. This study provide experimental basis for the development of more effective inhibitors of CK2 and for clinical application of SQDS in the future.

Casein Kinase II ; Dichlororibofuranosylbenzimidazole ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Quercetin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity among infants in Chongqing urban area, and to provide a basis for early intervention in cases of childhood obesity.

METHODSA total of 2139 infants aged one month were selected by stratified cluster sampling. They underwent growth monitoring and evaluation at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months after birth. Meanwhile, related factors were investigated using a standardized questionnaire. The data was subjected to multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the risk factors for overweight and obesity among infants aged 18 months.

RESULTSThe detection rate of overweight and obesity increased rapidly after birth, reaching 26.04% at six months, and then decreased gradually, reaching 15.89% at 18 months. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed nine variable factors that were significantly correlated with overweight and obesity among infants aged 18 months, including nutritional status of the father, nutritional status of the infants at birth and at 6, 9 and 12 months after birth, feeding patterns at 3 months, frequency of vegetable intake at 12 months, frequency of sweet beverage addition at 18 months, and bedtime at 18 months.

CONCLUSIONSOverweight and obesity are prevalent among infants in Chongqing urban area, and these conditions are affected by multiple factors. Early comprehensive intervention is recommended to curb prevalence.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVEHepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected from infants whose mothers were negative for all HBV markers and the fathers were HBV carrier, the homology of HBV sequence of fathers and fetus was high, and HBV mutations concentrated on some points, and the transmission of HBV from father to fetus was also identified in some reports. The present study aimed to study HBV transmission from father to infant.

METHODSThe study enrolled 16 pairs of fathers who were HBV carriers and infants whose mothers were negative for HBV markers. The infants had evidences for intrauterine HBV infection. The five HBV serum markers HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc were detected with ELISA. The positive results for HBsAg and/or HBeAg were regarded as markers of HBV infection. Amplification of HBV DNA was done using a nested PCR method. The first amplification was carried out using primer C1 (nt 2394-2370), and primer C3 (nt 1730-1754). The second amplification was carried out using primer C2 (nt 1955-1974) and primer C6 (nt 2348-2330). Both primers were designed to amplify the part of sequence coding for the hepatitis B C antigen. The size of the amplified fragment obtained by the nested PCR was expected to be 394 bp. The PCR products were electrophoresed on 1.5% agarose gels, which were then stained with ethidium bromide and observed with ultraviolet transillumination. When 394 bp specific band was detectable, the sample was designated positive. Then the positive samples were identified by dot blot. The second PCR products were extracted by phenol-chloroform and 70% ethanol precipitation, then resuspended in TE buffer (pH8.0), and used as the template for cloning. The template was connected into pGEM-T vector by ligase. The ligated products were cloned into fresh competent JM109 cells, and incubated for 90 minutes at 37 degrees C on roller drum. Finally several dilutions were plated on plates containing ampicillin, X-Gal and IPTG, and incubated at 37 degrees C overnight. The white colony on plates was used for identification by the nested PCR with the above primers. When the 394 bp band was detectable by electrophoresis of PCR products in 1.5% agarose gels, the colony was designated positive; a positive colony was incubated in LB medium for 8 to 12 hrs, then plasmid was extracted using the Wizard Plus SV Minipreps DNA Purification System Kit (Promega). The purified plasmid was sent to Beijing Saibaisheng Company for sequencing. The homology of HBV C nt 2022-2301 sequence was compared between fathers and infants.

RESULTSThe homology of HBV C nt 2022-2301 sequence were 99% - 100% in 16 pairs of fathers and infants. The results were referred to the published sequence of HBV adw/adr clones, and the nucleic acid databases were searched for homology by using BLAST tool on Internet. HBV of the sixteen pairs of father/infant was closely related to the Japan strain (Genebank accession number AF121249), but there were still 17 more mutations at nucleotide positions 2029, 2034, 2044, 2059, 2078, 2095, 2104, 2154, 2161, 2169, 2189, 2201, 2233, 2251, 2284, 2288, 2293. Moreover the mutations at positions 2189, 2288 resulted in the substitution of the encoded amino acid (corresponding to amino acid positions 97 and 130, respectively), the other mutations at the position were nonphenotypic. The mutation of 2189, 2288 nucleotide of HBV C gene caused 97, 130 amino acid substitution for isoleucine to leucine and proline to threonine. The mutation of 2189, 2288 nucleotide of HBV C gene were detected in 6 (37.5%) of 16 pairs of fathers and infants.

CONCLUSIONThe HBV transmission from father to infants did exist. The main HBV C gene mutation strains also existed in the transmission.

Adult ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Viral ; chemistry ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Father-Child Relations ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; transmission ; virology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Male ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective Cryoballoon ablation of pulmonary vein (PV) ostia often induces a vagal response.This prospective study was designed to assess the effectiveness of prophylactic intravenous administration of atropine on hemodynamic impairment induced by cryoballoon ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.Methods Twenty-five patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing cryoballoon ablation were prospectively enrolled and assigned to either the trial group on the control group.First twelve patients (the trial group) were administered 1 mg of atropine before deflation of the cryoballoon,while the following 13 patients (the control group) were given atropine only after the onset of the hemodynamic variation (decrease in heart rate and/or blood pressure).Treatment was considered effective when the hemodynamic variations were restored.Results In the trial group,three patients with transient hypotension did not require further supportive care throughout the procedures and one patient with hypotension required supportive management.In the control group,hypotension,bradycardia and mixed bradycardia with hypotension requiring supportive care occurred in six,three,and three patients,respectively.Overall,the rate of marked vagal responses was significantly lower when prophylactic atropine was administrated (4/12 vs.12/13 patients,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Atropine is effective in the prevention of all types of vasovagal responses induced by cryoballoon ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical applications of reversed pedicled submental island flap in the face and oropharynx.

METHODSThe clinical data of ten cases of reconstruction of defect in the area of face or oropharynx following resection of tumors with reversed pedicled submental island flaps between January of 2004 to December of 2006 were retrospectively studied. The cases included six males and four females, aged from 24 to 76 (median 55 years). One of the cases suffered from upper lid melanoma, two hard palate myoepithelioma, one maxillary ameloblastoma, four tonsil cancer and two lingual carcinoma. The submental island flaps were dissected according to the area of the defection, the distal facial vessel was used as the pedicle of the flaps, and the flaps were transferred through under the skin of the face or the mandible to the area of the defection. Radical neck dissection was performed in the four tonsil cancers and two lingual carcinomas simultaneously.

RESULTSAll the flaps showed pale, edema and/or congestion after the surgical treatment, but swelling and congestion disappeared gradually 5 days later. One of the cases suffered from severe congestion of the flap, but the flap survived by stabbing with needle and draining. The flap of another case separated from the hard palate was sutured again, and healed. Lower lip palsy occurred in another case, and recovered 3 months later by conservative therapy. None of the flaps necrosed.

CONCLUSIONSBecause of the upper pedicle, reversed pedicled submental island flap can be transferred to a long distance to reconstruct the defect in the upper face or around the orbit, and radical neck dissection can be performed simultaneously, it is a reasonable candidate in repairing the defect of the face and oropharynx.

Adult ; Aged ; Chin ; surgery ; Face ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical efficacy of Danlou tablet in Non-revascularization Patients with acute cor-onary syndrome(ACS)and phlegm and blood stasis syndrome type(PBSST).METHODS 70 ACS patients with PBSST for various reasons failed revascularization therapy were randomly assigned to the control group and the treatment group.The con-trol group was given a standardized western medicine treatment and the treatment group was given Danlou tablets (every time 1.5g,3 times a day)based on standardized western medicine treatment for a month.Angina episodes(intensity,frequency, duration),nitroglycerin use (consumption,angina relief time after taking nitroglycerin ) and the score of angina,traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)clinical syndrome (including:chest pain or tightness and its frequency and duration,palpitations, shortness of breath,fatigue and total syndrome score),lipids including total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein choles-terol(LDL-C),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),triglycerides(TG)and hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) were observed in the two groups of patients before and after treatment.The clinical efficacy of angina,the score of TCM clinical syndrome and blood biochemical changes were recorded and compared between the two groups.RESULT The total ef-fective rate of angina(85.29%)was significantly better than that of the control group(48.48%)(P<0.01).Compared with the same group before treatment,the frequency and duration of angina,the angina relief time after taking nitroglycerin,the a-mount of nitroglycerin,the score of angina and TCM clinical syndromes and the total score of syndrome,all these were signifi-cantly lower(P<0.01)in the two groups of patients after treatment.Compared with the control group,the frequency and du-ration of angina,the angina relief time after taking nitroglycerin,the amount of nitroglycerin,the total score of TCM clinical syndrome(P<0.05)and the score of angina(P<0.01)were significantly lower in the treatment group after treatment.The improvement of TCM clinical syndromes in the treatment group(the total efficiency of syndrome score was 79.41%)was sig-nificantly better than the control group (the total efficiency of syndrome score was 45.45%)(P<0.01).TC,LDL-C(P<0.01)and hs-CRP(P<0.05) levels after treatment were significantly lower than before.After treatment,hs-CRP in the treatment group was significantly lower compared with the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Danlou tablet can pro-mote a significant improvement to angina and TCM clinical syndromes in Non-revascularization Patients with ACS and PBSST, inhibit the inflammation,and show plaque stabilizing effects.

Objective To investigate the clinical therapeutic effects of endovascular repair for patients with DeBakey Ⅲ aortic dissection.Methods From December 2002 to June 2007,endovascular TALENT stent-graft exclusion was performed in 75(65 males,mean age 54.4±12.6 years)patients with DeBakey Ⅲ aortic dissection(1 young woman due to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome,2 young men due to primary aldosteronism and trauma respectively).All patients were diagnosed by contrast enhanced computed tomography(CT)or MRI.Stent-grafts were deployed via femoral artery to exclude the tear of dissection.Aortic angiography was performed immediately after procedure.Results Eighty-one stent-grafts were installed in 75 patients successfully without operation related dissection.Endoleakage immediately after stent-graft deploying was evidenced in 25 patients and disappeared after stent placements(n=6)or balloon dilation (n=19).Two patients died from aortic rupture within 2 days after procedure.Iliac artery was torn in a female patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome,this patient developed hemorrhagic shock after stent-graft placement and recovered after anti-shock treatments and iliac artery replacement with synthetic artery.During the follow-up of 1-24 months,2 patients(including the woman with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)suddenly died half a year after procedure.The remaining patients were alive and well.Repeat CT during follow up showed that reduced lumen size and thrombosis in the false lumen.There was no aortic rupture,endoleak and stent migration during the follow-up period except descending aortic dissection distal of the stent-graft in 1 patient 1 year after procedure and the patient were successfully treated surgically without complication.Conclusions Endovasular repair is a safe and effective treatment for patients with DeBakey Ⅲ aortic dissection,suitable for old patients with high risk of surgery.Ehlers-Danlos syndrome should be considered in young DeBakey Ⅲ aortic dissection patients without hypertension.Further studies are warranted on endovasular repair therapy for artery complication of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Objective To explore the prevalence of coronary artery disease and risk factors in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA).MethodsCoronary angiography was performed immediately after abdominal angiography in 70 elderly(＞50 years)consecutive patients with AAA. Medical history and imaging characteristics were evaluated. Results CAD was diagnosed in 63 patients(90. 0%)by coronary angiography: 20(28.6%)patients with single-vessel disease(SVD), 15(21.4%)with 2VD, 22(31.4%)with 3VD and 6(8. 6%)with left main disease + 3VD. Multi-variance logistic analysis showed that peripheral disease was the strongest predictor for CAD in AAA patients. Conclusion Coronary angiography should be performed in elderly AAA patients due to the high prevalence of CAD in this patient cohort.