OBJECTIVETo explore the best treatment opportunity of acupuncture at Shiqizhui (Extra) for treating primary dysmenorrhea.

METHODSEighty cases with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into an acupuncture at Shiqizhui (Extra) in the premenstrual period group (group A, n = 20), an acupuncture at Shiqizhui (Extra) when pain occurs group (group B, n = 20) and a blank group (group C, n = 40). Both of acupuncture groups were treated and followed up for 3 consecutive menstrual cycles, respectively. The therapeutic effects were compared by use of the Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS).

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in CMSS between the two acupuncture groups during each course and the follow-up period (all P > 0.05), but the CMSS in the two acupuncture groups were all obviously lower than those in the blank group during the same period (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Shiqizhui (Extra) has certain therapeutic effect on primary dysmenorrhea either in the premenstrual period or when pain occurs and there is no significant difference in acupuncture at different time.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Dysmenorrhea ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; Pneumoconiosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

[Objective]To evaluate the clinical efficacy and side effects of DHAOx±R regimen in the patients with relapsed and refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL).[Methods]Twenty patients with relapsed or refractory NHL were enrolled into this study in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University.These patients were treated with DHAOx±R regimen(Dexamethasone 20 mg/day intravenous(Ⅳ)on day 1 to day 4,cytarabine 2 000 mg/m~2 3 h Ⅳ,every 12 hours on day 2;oxaliplatin 130 mg/m~2 2 h Ⅳ on day 1;with or without rituximab 375 ms/m~2 on day 0).Six patients were followed by high dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.Response to treatment wag assessed according to The International Working Group Criteria,including CR,PR,SD and PD.Side effects were graded according to WHO criteria,including 0-Ⅳ grades.[Results]Twenty patients received 47 cycles chemotherapy,13 patients(65%)received DHAOx chemotherapy and 7(35%)received DHAOx+R.The response rate(RR)for the whole group was 55%(11/20)with comeplete response(CR)rate 35%(7/20).The response can also be obtained in the patients who were already treated by platinum-based regimen before.The major toxicity Wag myelosuppression.The incidence of grade Ⅲ～Ⅳ neutropenia Wag 35%(16/47),and febrile neutropenia was 17%(8/47).The incidence of grade Ⅲ～Ⅳ thrombocytopenia was 20%(9/47).Eight cycles(17%)occurred mild neumtoxicity.With median follow-up of 12 months,1 and 2-year overall survival rate were 70.6%.[Conclusion]DHAOx was an effective regimen for recurrent and relapsed NHL patients with mild side effects and further investigation is needed.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of preconditioning acupuncture (PA) on the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

METHODSEighty patients suffered from primary dysmenorrhea were randomly assigned on the ratio of 1:1:2 into three groups, 20 in Group A, 20 in Group B, and 40 in Group C. Group A and B were treated with PA and immediate acupuncture (IA), respectively, while Group C received no acupuncture treatment and be taken as a blank control. The treatment was lasted for three menstrual cycles. The therapeutic effects were observed and compared.

RESULTSComparing the scores of the symptoms in the different groups, the therapeutic effect in different groups showed that the symptom scores in Group A at the second and third cycle of treatment, as well as at the first and third cycle of follow-up, were significantly lower than the scores in Group B, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the duration of symptoms was shorter in Group A than in Group B at the third cycle of treatment and the first and third cycle of follow-up (P<0.05). Symptom scores in Groups A and B in the treatment and follow-up periods were all lowered as compared to those before treatment (P<0.01), and the scores were also lower than those in Group C measured at corresponding times (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of PA, either the short-term or the long-term effect, was superior to that of IA in treating dysmenorrhea.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age of Onset ; Dysmenorrhea ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Research Design ; Severity of Illness Index ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the different therapeutic effect between acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) only and multi acupoints on dysmenorrhea.

METHODSThirty eight cases were randomly divided into a single acupoint group and a multi-acupoints group, 19 cases in each group. The single acupoint group was treated by acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) only, and the multi-acupoints group by acupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Diji (SP 8), Ciliao (BL 32). They were all treated from the first day when sudden intense pain occurs, one time each day, for 3 days in each menstrual cycle, the treatment of three menstrual cycles. The therapeutic effect and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were compared and the score of general frequency and severity of dysmenorrhea by using Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS) were evaluated.

RESULTSThe cured rate was 68.4% (13/19) and the effective rate was 31.6% (6/19) in the single acupoint group, being similar to 78.9% (15/19) and 21.1% (4/19) in the multi-acupoints group (P > 0.05). VAS and the scores of general frequency and severity of dysmenorrhea were all significantly decreased after treatment in both groups (all P < 0.001), with no significant difference between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Shiqizhui (EX-B 8) only can be as effective as selecting multi-acupoints to cure essential dysmenorrhea.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Analgesia ; Dysmenorrhea ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate imaging of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for nodules of cadaveric lungs of coal workers' or coal workers with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) and to determine types of small nodules of CWP and dust speckle based on CT-pathologic correlation.

METHODSThirty-two entire lung specimens were available from autopsy of the patients with CWP and coal workers occupationally exposed to coal dusts. They comprised 25 workers without CWP, 3 patients with 0+ stage and 4 patients with I stage. Thirty-two lung specimens were inflated and fixed by Heitzman's method, and underwent coronal single slice computed tomography (SSCT)/multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and HRCT scans. Gross specimens section (50 approximately 100 microm of slice thickness) and histological section (5 approximately 8 microm of slice thickness) were performed on seventeen pieces of 10 mm-thickness slices of lung specimen in thirteen cases. The nodules were divided into round, ill defined and stellate-shaped, and their distributions and relationships with pulmonary lobule were analyzed.

RESULTSThe findings were as follows (1) 14 cases without CWP and 18 cases with CWP (including 5 cases with I stage 11 cases with II stage and 2 cases with III stage) were diagnosed by pathology. (2) Nodules were displayed on HRCT in 32 cases, among which 29 cases were verified by pathology. There was no significant difference between HRCT and pathology (chi2 = 0.5, 0.25 < P < 0.5). (3) Nodules of CWP on HRCT included well-defined round nodules, ill defined nodules and stellate-shape nodules. Twelve of fourteen round nodules on HRCT were pathologically typical ones. Twenty-six ill defined nodules on HRCT included 14 atypical ones, 11 dust macules and 1 typical one by pathology. Six dust macules and 3 atypical nodules were found by pathology in nine stellate-shape nodules on HRCT. (4) HRCT accurately displayed nodular distributions including nodules adjacent to small artery, thickened septa and subpleural regions.

CONCLUSIONHRCT could display typical, atypical nodules and some dust macules presenting pathologic changes, as well as relationship between nodules and structure of pulmonary lobule.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coal Mining ; Dust ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe and compare the luciferase activities of different length segments of human dentin matrix protein 1 promoter in human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSC), osteoblasts (OC) and Hela cells.

METHODSThe differentlength desired DNA segments were obtained from 2 195 bp Dmp1 promoter cloned by PCR method. The amplified promoter segments with different length were cloned into luciferase report gene vector pGL3-Basic, the correct orientation of those inserts was verified by cutting with two different restrict enzymes. The luciferase activity was observed after different pGL3-PDmp1 vectors were transfected transiently into those three different-type cells.

RESULTS6 Dmp1 promoter segments with different-length were obtained successfully, and luciferase report gene vectors with different promoter segments were successfully constructed after identified by restriction enzymes cutting. They had different luciferase activities when they were transfected transiently into HDPSC, and the region of -505(-)-193 bp and -935(-)-505 bp could be regarded as the specific promoters of Dmp1 promoter for HDPSC and OC respectively, which could include the basic regulatory elements.

CONCLUSIONThe correct clone of the upstream of human Dmp1 promoter segments with different length had been obtained, and they had strong luciferase activities in HDPSC and OC, but very low in Hela cell. These results will make an important basis for studying mineralized tissue-specific transcriptional regulation mechanisms of Dmp1.

Dentin ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Phosphoproteins ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and efficacy of transanal specimen extraction in laparoscopic colorectal resection.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to December 2010, transanal specimen extraction technique was performed in 12 patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection. The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 8 males and 4 females. The age ranged from 41 to 67 (mean, 58) years old. The mean operative time was (240±45) min, mean blood loss was (70±40) ml. There was no anastomotic leakage or stenosis. One patient with constipation suffered from intractable right lower abdominal pain and was managed with antispasmodic agents. The frequency of bowel movements was 3-7/d in the 5 patients with constipation and 1-2/d in patients with colorectal carcinoma at six months postoperatively. No local recurrence and metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer after follow-up of 1-20 months.

CONCLUSIONTransanal specimen extraction in laparoscopic colorectal resection is feasible, safe, and reliable.

Adult ; Aged ; Anal Canal ; surgery ; Colectomy ; methods ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To summarize the clinical efficacy of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy with concomitant intrathecal injection followed by systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of high-risk medulloblastoma (MB). Methods The clinical data of 20 patients with high-risk MB,admitted to our hospital from January 2005 to January 2008 and certified postoperatively by pathological examination, were retrospectively analyzed in our study; 15 of them were found tumors in the cerebrospinal fluid and MRI indicated 5 were with nodular cultivation in the spinal cord.Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy was done for all the patients with the same techniques:28-36 Gy to the whole cranialspinal axis followed by a boost of 18 Gy. All the patients received intrathecal injection with cytarabine and amethopterin concomitantly followed by systemic chemotherapy with nimustine and temozolomide. The treatment efficacy was concluded. Results The mean follow-up was 48.5 months.Three months after treatment,the complete remission (CR) was achieved in 18 (90.0％),and partial remission in 1 (5.0％),and stabilization in 1 (5.0％).Four patients were failed of treatment and died; 1 had recurrence in the region,and 3 had spinal cord planting progress.The median survival time was 53 months; and 3-y overall survival and 3-y disease-free survival were 80.0％ and 75.5％,respectively.The major side effects occurred in hematological system and digestive system.No grade Ⅳ bone marrow suppression was noted. Conclusion Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intrathecal injection followed by systemic chemotherapy for high-risk MB is safe and feasible,enjoying good prognosis.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to analyse the efficacy and toxicity of CEOP regimen in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

METHODSFrom January 1995 to December 2000, 121 patients with NHL were treated by CEOP regimen with or without radiotherapy for the involved field. The clinical characteristics, response, toxicity and long-term survival results were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTSOf these 121 patients, 83 (68.6%) had B-cell NHL and 38(31.4%) peripheral T or NK-cell NHL; 55. 4% (67/121) had early disease (stage I or II), and 89.3% (108/121) had IPI score 0-2. The median age was 53 years (range: 7-79 yr). All patients were treated by CEOP regimen (totally, 471 cycles) with or without radiotherapy. The overall response (OR) rate in this series was 90.9% (110/121) with a complete remission (CR) rate of 71.9% (87/121); whereas the response rate of chemotherapy alone was 88.4% (107/121) with a CR rate of 67.8% (82/121). Major toxicity consisted of grade III-IV myelosuppression (11.9%), neutropenia (1.9%) and thrombocytopenia and anemia (1.1%). Alopecia was observed in 46.3%. However, cardiotoxicity was mild and reversible. Median follow-up duration in this series was 63 months (range: 2-116 months). The overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate was 84.8%, 62.7% and 55.9%, respectively, with a median survival time of 85 months (2-118 months).

CONCLUSIONOur data show that CEOP regimen combined with or without radiotherapy for the involved field is effective and well tolerated by the patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alopecia ; chemically induced ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Epirubicin ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Prednisone ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Thrombocytopenia ; chemically induced ; Vincristine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use