Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of pancreatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Methods We reported a case and reviewed the medical literature on pancreatic malignant GIST. We searched the Pubmed and main domestic database. The clinical data of the reported cases were studied, and their predictive factors for postoperative recurrence and metastasis were analyzed. Results Between January 1980 and July 2010, 16 cases of pancreatic GIST were reported. There were 7 males and 9 females, with a median age pf 56.5 (31-72)years. The clinical symptoms were nonspecific. The main presentation was upper abdominal pain or discomfort. A preoperative diagnosis was suspected on radiological examination. The tumor mainly appeared as a well-defined solid-cystic mass. Irregular enhancement appeared in the circumferential and solid portion of the tumor on enhanced CT scan sequences. The pancreatic and biliary ducts were rarely dilated. Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology (EUS-FNA) was helpful in preoperative diagnosis. Of the 15 surgical patients, 14 underwent complete resection, while the remaining received cyst-jejunostomy. A correct diagnosis was made on histopathology and immunohisto-chemistry. On a mean follow up of 21 months (range, 1-60) in 14 patients, all patients were alive.Recurrence or metastasis occurred in 4 patients with tumors of high malignant potential. On univariate analysis, the only significant predictor for adverse outcome was mitoses≥10/50 HPF. Conclusions Pancreatic GIST is a rare tumor of relatively low malignant potential. It has a better prognosis than ductal adenocarcinoma. It is important to arrive at a correct diagnosis and treat the tumor with radical resection. Aggressive surgical resection is potentially curative. Imatinib is recommended in the treatment of patients with tumors with high malignant potential.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative regional intra-arterial chemotherapy (RIAC) in the treatment of resectable pancreatic head carcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 50 patients with resectable pancreatic head carcinoma who had been admitted to the Research Institute of Pancreatic Diseases of Fudan University from December 2006 to July 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were randomly divided into2 groups (n =25 in each group): patients in group A were treated with preoperative RIAC followed by regional pancreaticoduodenectomy, and patients in group B were treated with surgical procedure routinely. The lymphatic metastases in the 50 specimens of pancreatic head carcinoma were detected by histological examination with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and lymphatic micrometastases were detected by immunohistochemical method with staining of cytokeratin AE1/AE3 in 10 specimens with negative HE staining of the lymph nodes in each group. Results There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications, the length of hospital stay and the 1-, 2-year survival rates between the 2 groups (χ2 = 0.12, 2.88, P > 0.05). The incidence of positive lymph node metastasis in group A was 7.1% (52/734), which was significantly higher than 22.1% (118/532) in group B (χ2 = 60.01, P < 0.05). The incidence of lymphatic micrometastasis was 9.4% (30/319) in group A, and 9.1% (23/252) in group B, with no statistical difference between the 2 groups (χ2= 0.01, P > 0.05). Conclusions Preoperative RIAC is helpful in improving the prognosis of patients with resectable pancreatic head carcinoma by reducing the incidence of lymphatic metastasis and decreasing tumor stage.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab plus methotrexate combination therpy in Chinese with rheumatoid arthritis patients.Methods This was a double-blind placebo-controlled phaseⅢclinical trial,173 patients who had active rheumatoid arthritis were randomised to placebo(n=86)or infliximab(n=87)group on a background of a stable dosage of methotrexate.Patients were assessed at weeks 0,2,6,14 and 18.Results At week 2,the American College of Rheumatology(20)response criteria,which represent a 20% improvement from baseline,the same results with swollen joint count,tender joint count,du- ration of morning stiffness,VAS score,CRP,ESR were achieved in 52.9% of patients,compared with 14.0% of patients receiving placebo plus methotrexate.A 20% improvement was achieved in 75.9% of infliximab plus methotrexate at week 18,compared with 48.8% of patients on placebo plus methotrexate(P=0.0003).A 50% improvement was achieved in 43.7% of infliximab plus methotrexate at week 18,compared with 25.6% of pa- tients on placebo plus methotrexate(P=0.011).Infliximab was well-tolerated;withdrawals for adverse events as well as the occurrence of serious adverse events or serious infections were similar to those in the placebo group.There was only one case of tuberculosis in the treatment group.Conclusion Treatment with infliximab plus methotrexate is more effective than methotrexate alone in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.It has rapid onset of effect and the efficacy is persistent.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of detecting specific serum IgG antibodies in clinical diagnosis of SARS as well as affecting factors.

METHODSEnzyme-linked immunoassay kit for SARS coronavirus antibodies developed by HuaDa Biological Company was applied to detect specific serum IgG from SARS patients and the production of SARS specific antibodies among patients of different age groups, sex and with or without steroid treatment were statistically compared.

RESULTSOut of 121 patients studied, 71.1% were SARS specific IgG positive. Patients younger than 15 years, between 15 to 59 years, older than 59 years had positive rates of 60.0%, 70.2%, and 85.7%, respectively with no statistically significance (P=0.766); patients with or without steroid treatment showed positive rates of 70.6% and 72.4%, respectively (P=0.84); patients exhibiting either severe or light syndromes showed positive rates of 78.1% and 67.4%, respectively (P=0.493); both male and female patients showed the same positive rate of 71.1%.

CONCLUSIONThe sensitivity of the SARS specific IgG kit utilized needs to be further improved. The production of SARS IgG is not notably correlated with sex, age, seriousness of symptoms, and steroid treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; immunology

BACKGROUND:Establishing a characteristic.stable and repeatable model of Th1/Th2 imbalance in animals,is the key of studying the mechanism of Th1/Th2 imbalance.OBJECTIVE:To observe the characteristics of Th1/Th2 imbalance in splenocytes derived from Balb/C mice immnnized by keyhole limpet hemocyanin(KLH).DESIGN:A randomized control exploratory experiment.SETTING:Hebei Provincial Forensic Laboratory.Institute of Basic Medicine,Hebei Medical University.MATERLALS:The experiment was carried out in the Hebei Provincial Forensic Laboratory,Institute of Basic Medicine,Hebei Medical University from September 2005 to January 2007.Balb/C mice were adopted in this study.and all the disposals were in accordance with the guidance of animal ethics.METHODS:Balb/C mice were immunized with KLH emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA),splenocytes were acquired,and the peak of cytokine secretion was determined in 3 groups:KLH groups of 6.25 mg,kg.12.5 mg,kg and 25 mg/kg.According to the immunizing dose and immunizing frequency.mice were divided into 7 groups:KLH groups of 6.25 mg/kg,12.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg,secondary immunity groups of 6.25 mg/kg,12.5 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg,as well as control group.According to the determined levels of IgG1 and IgG2a in blood serum.mice were divided into KLH group of 6.25 mg/kg and control group.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Mice splenocytes supematant was detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)for the production of Th1 cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ,interleukin(IL)-2.IL-12 p40 and Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5.The levels of Th1 antibody IgG2a and Th2 antibody IgG1 in blood serum were also detected by ELISA.RESULTS:The spleen derived from KLH-immunized mice appeared hypertrophy,and the number of splenocytes was manifold.Splenocytes restimulated with KLH in vitro produced much more IFN-γ,IL-2,IL-4,IL-5,but not IL-12p40.IL-2 secretion was obviously elevated after incubated for 24 hours and achieved pinnacle at 48 hours;productions of IL-4,IL-5 and IFN-γ were elevated after 24 hours,and increased gradually to 96 hours;IL-12p40 production was very low at every time point.Using different doses of KLH inlmunity once or twice,could all lead to the elevated productions of IL-2,IL-4,IL-5,IFN-γ,and the elevation of IL-4/IFN-γ ratio,but the secondary immunity group of 6.25 mg/kg KLH showed obviously higher levels than other groups(P＜0.01).The level of KLH specific antibody IgG2a and IgG1,especially IgG1 was elevated in blood serum of KLH-immunized mice.CONCLUSION:Balb/C mice immunizad with KLH emulsified in CFA can indce a Th2 predominant imbalance in splenocytes.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of immune-enhanced enteral nutrition (IEN) together with recombined human growth hormone (rhGH) on patients after total gastrectomy.

METHODSForty-eight patients after total gastrectomy were randomly divided into EN group (n=16), IEN group (n=16) and IEN+ rhGH(n=16) group. Nitrogen balance, nutritional status, immune function and lassitude degree were compared among 3 groups.

RESULTSIEN+rhGH group had better efficacy as compared to EN and IEN group in improving postoperative nutritional status, immune function, nitrogen balance and lassitude degree, and recovered to normal level after 7 days. All the indexes of IEN+rhGH group except CD8 were improved significantly on the 10th day after operation as compared to those of EN group[total protein(66.8 +/- 2.0)g/L vs (65.8 +/- 0.9)g/L, CD3(66.1 +/- 6.3)% vs (60.5 +/- 5.6)%, Christensen score (4.6 +/- 0.9) vs (6.3 +/- 0.9), all P<0.05].

CONCLUSIONEarly application of IEN combined with rhGH plays an effective role in improving protein metabolism and immune function for patients after total gastrectomy in short period.

Aged ; Enteral Nutrition ; methods ; Fat Emulsions, Intravenous ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Human Growth Hormone ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Stomach Neoplasms ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical components of essential oils from Meconopsis oliverana and their antioxidant activity.

METHODThe essential oil was extracted by steam distillation, and GC-MS analysis was used to identify its constituents. The OH free radical scavenging activity of the essential oils was evaluated with an enzyme mark instrument by assay of the ability of DPPH free radical scavenging. BHT was used as positive control.

RESULTForty-seven compounds, account for 91.866% of the essential oils, were identified. The ability of scavenging OH and DPPH radicals of the essential oils is stronger than that of BHT.

CONCLUSIONThe main chemical constituents of the essential oils from M. oliverana are n-hexadecanoic acid (27.653%) and 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone (16.330%). And the essential oils showed strong antioxidant activity.

Antioxidants ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Biphenyl Compounds ; metabolism ; Butylated Hydroxytoluene ; metabolism ; China ; Fatty Alcohols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Free Radical Scavengers ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Hydroxyl Radical ; metabolism ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Palmitic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Papaveraceae ; chemistry ; Picrates ; metabolism ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated with life style, early exposure to magnetic fields, family history of dementia and other risk factors.

METHODSWe conducted a case-control study among the inpatients of Chinese PLA General Hospital in 2000 - 2003. Sixty-two AD cases and 124 controls were selected and matched for age. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using logistic regression model.

RESULTSAll subjects were males aged 66 to 102. In univariate analysis, lack of social activities, more physical exercises, early exposure to magnetic fields, suffering from negative life events and family history of dementia were statistically different between two groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that after adjusting for potential confounders, suffering from negative life events, family histories of dementia increased the risk of AD with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.27 (1.53 - 6.97) and 5.78 (1.39 - 24.10). Early exposure to magnetic fields seemed a possible risk factor for AD, with OR (95% CI) 2.49 (0.96 - 6.45). The amount of social activities, cigarette smoking and history of cancers were negatively correlated with AD and their ORs (95% CI) were 0.81 (0.72 - 0.92), 0.46 (0.21 - 1.00) and 0.31 (0.12 - 0.82) respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe study demonstrated that suffering from negative life events and family history of dementia were risk factors for AD, and the early exposure to magnetic fields might also play a role.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Military Personnel ; Occupational Exposure ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) on the testicular gene expression profile in the testis of mice.

METHODSTwenty male C57BL/6j mice were randomly divided into normal control group (fed with maize oil) and 3 OCDD groups treated with OCDD by gavage for 30 days at low-, moderate-, and high doses of 1.25×10(-6), 1.25 ×10(-5), and 1.25×10(-4) g/mL, respectively (8 mL/kg daily). The testicular gene expression profiles of the mice were investigated using gene chip technique and compared between OCDD-exposed groups and the control group.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the mice in low-dose OCDD group showed 1133 differentially expressed genes, including 659 up-regulated and 474 down-regulated ones; in the moderate-dose OCDD group, 978 genes were differentially expressed, including 487 up-regulated and 491 down-regulated ones; in the high-dose group, 895 genes were differentially expressed, including 424 up-regulated and 471 down-regulated ones.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of sub-chronic exposure to OCDD on testicular gene expression profiles in male C57BL/6j mice indicates that the testis is probably the target organ of OCDD.

Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins ; toxicity ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Transcriptome