Objective To explore the occurrence of anemia, anaemia type, iron metabolism situation,variation of serum Prealbumin (PA), and the relationship among them in cancer patients. Methods Three hundred and seventy cancer patients, admitted from July 2007 to April 2010 to our hospital, were enrolled into the study. The clinical data of all subjects were analyzed retrospectively. Results The incidence of anemia in 370 patients was 55.67% (206/370). Among all 206 anemia cases,129 cases had mild anaemia and 77 cases had middle to severe anaemia. In the last group ( n = 77 ), we found significant decrease in serum iron level ( [ 8. 37 ± 6. 09 ] μmol/L) and increase in serum ferritin level ( [ 474. 57 ± 327. 58 ] μg/L); and the correlation between serum iron and the anemia degree( Ps ＜ 0. 05 ). However, we found no significant differences of serum ferritin level between the groups with different degree of anemia(P ＞0. 05). Among all 206 anemia cases ,187(90. 77% ) patients had a low level of serum PA, but no relationship between the degree of anemia and the drop of serum PA ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusion The anemia was very popular in cancer patients, which had correlation with iron metabolism situation but not PA.

AIM:To investigate the effect of microRNA-429 (miR-429) on the expression of occludin (Ocln) in intestinal epithelial cells ( IECs) and intestinal epithelial barrier function in diabetic mice.METHODS:Diabetes mel-litus mouse model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin.The expression of miR-429 in IECs of diabetic mice was inhibited by antagomiRNA-429 injected via tail vein.The expression of miR-429 and mRNA expression of Ocln were detected by real-time PCR.The protein expression of Ocln was determined by Western blotting and immunohistochem-istry.The urinary lactulose/mannitol ratio was measured by gas chromatography.The plasma LPS concentrations in the mice were measured by chromogenic end-point TAL kit.RESULTS:The results of real-time PCR confirmed that the ex-pression of miR-429 in IECs of diabetic mice was remarkably inhibited by tail-vein administration of antagomiRNA-429, and resumed to similar level of normal mice on the 6th day after the administration.After suppressing the level of miR-429, the expression of Ocln in IECs of diabetic mice increased significantly (P<0.05), while the urinary lactulose/mannitol ra-tio and the plasma LPS concentration decreased obviously ( P<0.05 ) .CONCLUSION:AntagomiRNA-429 effectively suppresses miR-429 expression in IECs of diabetic mice, and then enhances the expression of Ocln and partially resumes the intestinal epithelial barrier function.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To study the process of promoting mouse embryonic stem cells ( ESC) to specify to definitive endoderm by up-regulating of Nodal signal pathway in order to find the best cultivated systems of differentiation of mouse ESC to definitive endoderm cells.METHODS:The cells were divided into different groups based on the culture medium:ESC group ( serum-free medium +LIF) , natural differentiation group ( serum-free medium) and activin A group ( serum-free medium +50μg/L activin A).The cells and the sterilized coverslips with cells were collected at 1, 3, 5 and 7 d of the cultivation.The proportion of CXCR4 +cells was detected by flow cytometry.The expression of CXCR4 was determined by immunocytochemical method, and the protein expression of OCT4 and CXCR4 was detected by Western blot.RE-SULTS:The proportion of CXCR4 +cells showed no dramatic change in ESC group along with the extending of cultivation day, while there were gradually increased in natural differentiation group and activin A group and the highest level was ob-served at 5 d.Among the 3 groups, the proportion of CXCR4 +cells at 5 d was the highest in activin A group.The brown or tan staining in the cells observed under microscope was considered as positive CXCR4 by immunocytochemistry.The pro-tein levels of OCT4 and CXCR4 in ESC group along with the extending of cultivation days was observed.The expression levels of OCT4 were gradually decreased in the cells in natural differentiation group and activin A group, while those of CX-CR4 were gradually increased with the highest level at 5 d.It was highest in the cells in activin A group.CONCLUSION:The proportion of definitive endoderm was the highest at 5 d of the induction during in vitro mouse ESC differentiation.Up-regulation of Nodal signal pathway by adding activin A at the early stage of mouse ESC differentiation promotes mouse ESC to specify to definitive endoderm with CXCR4 molecular marker.

Objective To observe the impact of ginkgo biloba extract in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia on the expression of PSD-95 protein and the content of amino acid neurotransmitter.Methods A total of 42 SD rats were divided into the sham group (n=12), the model group (n=14) and the ginkgo biloba extract group (n=14) by random number table method. Cerebral ischemia rats were produced by permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries . The rats in the ginkgo biloba group were intrgastric administrated with ginkgo biloba extract suspension 28 mg/kg daily for 40 days, since 2 hours later after the surgery. The rats in the sham and model groups were intragastric administrated with equal-Volume nomal saline daily for 40 days, since 2 hours later after the surgery. The expression of PSD-95 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry techniques with image analysis. The content of Glu and GABA in the thalamus was determinated by OPA-pre-column derivatization and HPLC fluorescence detection method.Results The expression of PSD-95 protein (cortex was 212.58 ± 45.02vs.244.20 ± 34.28, thalamus was 132.33 ± 28.32 vs.272.00 ± 62.14) were significantly lower in the cortex and thalamus of the model group than those of the sham group (P<0.01). The content of GABA (6 081.46 ± 2 388.91 mmol/Lvs.8 280.45 ± 3 388.49 mmol/L) in the thalamus of the model group rats was significantly lower than the sham group (P<0.05). Ginkgo biloba extract could significantly improve the expression of PSD-95 protein (cortex was 237.89 ± 34.41 vs.212.58 ± 45.02, thalamus was 226.18 ± 75.80 vs. 132.33 ± 28.32) in the cortex and thalamus of chronic cerebral ischemia rats (P<0.01), and significantly improve the content of Glu and GABA (Glu was 10 523.78 ± 3 639.72 mmol/L vs.6 081.46 ± 2 388.91 mmol/L, and GABA was 18 440.93 ± 7 476.88 mmol/Lvs.11 239.83 ± 4 411.79 mmol/L) in thalamus with chronic cerebral ischemic rats compared with the model group rats (P<0.01).Conclusion Ginkgo biloba extract could regulate the levels of Glu, GABA and selectly regulate the PSD-95 experssion in the cortex and thalamus of cerebral ischemia rats.

Objective To investigate the value of DWI using 3.0 T MRI to predict response to radiotherapy(RT) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy(CCRT) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods From January 2014 to May 2015, 40 patients with stageⅢ(Ⅲa orⅢb) NSCLC underwent DWI using 3.0 T MRI before RT/CCRT were enrolled. The imaging quality of diffusion-weighted images were evaluated on 3-level grades as good, moderate and non-diagnostic.The patients with good or moderate image quality were underwent DWI at 2 weeks after starting therapy(total dose of 20 Gy), and at the end of therapy (total dose of 60 Gy). Apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) of lung cancer with good and moderate image quality were calculated by Funtool. The following quantitative parameters were recorded and calculated: the mean pretreatment ADC value(ADCpre), the mean mid-treatment ADC value (ADCmid), the mean post-treatment ADC value(ADCpost), the rate of changes inmean ADC value at 2 weeks post therapy (ΔADCmid) and the rate of changes inmean ADC value at the end of therapy(ΔADCpost). The patients were classified into response group and non-response group according to the tumor response, which was assessed with revised response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST1.1) after CCRT. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare parameters between the two groups.The relationship between these obtained parameters and tumor response was evaluated by Spearman correlation analysis. The value of parameters on predicting tumor response was calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve.Results 96.4%(80/83) DW images were graded as good or moderate image quality. The responders had lower median ADCpre[1.32 (0.77—1.96) × 10- 3 mm2/s] than non-responders[1.60(1.12—2.33) × 10- 3 mm2/s], which had statistically significant difference (Z=-2.934,P=0.003).Tumor regression rate after treatment had negative correlation with ADCpre(r=-0.386, P=0.018).The responders had increased ADC [ΔADCmid: 38.9%(12.8%—139.0%),ΔADCpost: 48.3% (25.6%—148.1%)] than non-responders [ΔADCmid: -2.5% (-15%—29.4%), ΔADCpost:14.2% (- 28.1% —71.3% )], which had statistically significant difference (Z=- 2.847, - 2.221, respectively;P<0.05). Tumor regression rate after treatment had positive correlation with ΔADCmid(r=0.637, P=0.001) and ΔADCpost(r=0.631, P=0.005).From ROC analysis,when setting threshold on pretreatment ADCpre=1.38 × 10-3 mm2/s, ΔADCmid=21.6%, ΔADCpost=38.8%, the area under curve was 0.782, 0.838 and 0.813.Conclusion The mean ADC value before RT/CCRT and its changes during treatment is likely to be a valuabletool for predicting the response after RT/CCRT in advanced NSCLC, which may be helpful to clinical decision on individualized therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early diagnosis of breast cancer with nonpalpable tumor. METHODS: Forty-six cases of clinical nonpalpable tumor were examined by mammography and sonography.The cases of nipple discharge were also examined by fiberoptic ductoscopy. RESULTS: Breast cancer in 46 cases was diagnosed by pathological examination. Of them, 34 diagnosed with breast cancer were found with nodus, calcification or confused structure, and so on, 5 were considered benign tumor, and 7 were not found lesion by mammography. Thirty-one cases were diagnosed with breast cancer, 6 with benign tumor, and 9 were not found occupying lesion by sonography. Occupying lesions were found in 6 cases of nipple discharge by fiberoptic ductoscopy and were finally diagnosed by biopsy. CONCLUSION Mammography and sonography are important methods in early discovering breast cancer. Early diagnosis rate of breast cancer can be elevated by signs of early breast cancer and combined examination of mammograply and sonography.
Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Mammography ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography, Mammary

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect on sudden deafness between acupuncture and moxibustion therapy of excitation-focus transfer and routine medication.

METHODSEighty cases of sudden deafness were randomly divided into two groups, 40 cases in each one. Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy of excitation-focus transfer was adopted in observation group on Yongquan (KI 1) (with reducing and slightly heavy manipulation), Tinggong (SI 19), Tinghui (GB 2) and Ermen (TE 21), and associated with suspending moxibustion for thermal sensitization on Yongquan (KI 1). In control group, the routine medications were given. The therapeutic effects of two groups were compared with each other.

RESULTSAfter three sessions of treatment, dB value of hearing loss in two groups decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), but the improvement of hearing in observation group was superior to that in control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 80.0% (32/40) in observation group, which was better than that 55.0% (22/40) in control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and moxibustion therapy of excitation-focus transfer presents superior therapeutic effect on sudden deafness as compared with the routine western therapy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlation between airborne pollen concentrations and symptoms in patients with pollen allergic rhinitis.

METHODSDurhum sampler was used to collect the pollen concentration and species from June to September in 2011. The clinical skin prick test (SPT) data were analyzed. The patients with pollen allergic rhinitis were divided into pure pollen allergic rhinitis group (pollen group) and pollen combined perennial allergens allergic rhinitis group (combined group). Symptom scores of patients were assessed, and correlation between pollen concentration and onset of symptoms of patients were analyzed. SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyse the data.

RESULTSWhile the peak of Summer-Autumn pollen concentration appeared from August 20 to September 15, the major pollen included Artemisia L, Chenopodium album and Humulus scandens. The peak of pollen concentration in one day reached 638/1000 mm(2). The patients taken SPT from June to September accounted for 51.9% of the patients in whole year, among which SPT pollen positive patients were 1509, 60.7% of all SPT positive patients. The amount and rate of SPT positive patients showed significant correlation with pollen concentration(r value were 0.90 and 0.99, both P < 0.05). Onset of symptoms in two groups was correlated with pollen concentration in Summer-Autumn. Symptoms of cough in combined group showed more severe compared with patients with pollen group (t = 2.36, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPollen concentration has a major effect on onset of symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Airborne pollen monitoring has important preventive and therapeutic significance on patients with allergic rhinitis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Air ; analysis ; Allergens ; immunology ; Child ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pollen ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Seasons ; Skin Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy and safety of a 6-week cluster schedule of specific immunotherapy with that of a 14-week conventional schedule for the treatment of subjects with persistent allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODSThe trial was a prospective and randomized study involving 80 patients with persistent AR, who were allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. While 40 patients were randomly assigned to the cluster schedule reaching the maintenance dose within 6 weeks, the other 40 patients were randomly assigned to the conventional schedule reaching the maintenance dose within 14 weeks. Symptom scores and medication scores were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Serum specific IgG4 level was examined to mark immunologic change, adverse reactions were recorded during the treatment.

RESULTSCluster group achieved clinical efficacy (reducing symptom scores and medication score) and increasing serum specific IgG4 sooner (after 6 weeks treatment). During the incremental dose phase, there were 6 systemic adverse reactions (1.12% of all injection) in 3 patients in cluster group and there were 5 systemic adverse reactions (0.85% of all injection) in 3 patients in conventional group. No severe systemic reactions occurred in both group. There was no difference between the 2 groups in frequency or type of systemic reaction (χ(2) = 0.333, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe cluster schedule is a safe alternative to the conventional schedule with the advantage of achieving clinical efficacy sooner.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Allergens ; immunology ; Animals ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; immunology ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunotherapy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND:Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is currently one of the most advanced industrial manufacturing technologies. The surgical template prepared based on the 3D printing technology is mainly made of resin, and a great improvement in its accuracy is required. However, the clinical application of the surgical template made of metal is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical value of 3D-printing implant template in the restoration of free-end missing teeth.METHODS:A prospective study was conducted in 64 enrolled patients with free end-tooth defects. All the patients were randomly assigned to receive traditional implant template (control group,n=32) or 3D-printing implant template (study group,n=32), and 3-6 months later, the patients were subjected to crown restoration. At 6 months after crown restoration, cone beam computed tomography was performed to compare the deviation of the implant tip and neck (including vertical, buccolingual, mesial-distal). Success rate and chewing rate were compared between the two groups at 6 months after crown restoration; patient satisfaction assessment was done and compared between the two groups at 1 year after crown restoration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were no significant differences between the two groups in the success rate and chewing rate (98.7％ vs. 95.6％; 97.4％ vs. 97.1％,P>0.05). The vertical, buccolingual, mesial-distal deviations of the implant tip were significantly lower in the study group than the control group (P<0.05), while there was no difference in the vertical and buccolingual deviations of the implant neck between the two groups (P>0.05), and the mesial-distal deviation of the implant neck was significantly lower in the study group than the control group (P<0.05). In addition, there was no difference in the patient satisfaction between the study and control groups (94％vs. 91％, P>0.05). To conclude, the 3D printing implant template can effectively reduce implant excursion based on the assurance of therapeutic efficacy and patient satisfaction, which is of great significance in the restoration of free-end tooth loss.