Objective To compare the Chinese 2008, 1992 and 2002 UICC (International Union Against Cancer) staging System for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and find out the reasons for the changes in the new Chinese 2008 staging system. Methods From Apr. 2007 to Dec. 2008, 285 naive patients with pathologically proved NPC, but without metastasis, received standard enhanced MRI scans of the nasopharynx and neck. Based on MRI imaging data and clinical information, clinical stage was classified according to the Chinese 2008, Chinese 1992 staging system and 2002 6th UICC staging system,respectively. Comparisons were made between Chinese 2008 and 1992 staging system, and between Chinese 2008 and 2002 UICC staging system by χ2 test. Results As a result of deleting some details of the old staging system, Chinese 2008 staging system is easier to grasp. With Chinese 2008 staging system, the number of cases in stage T1 to T4 are 66, 84, 72,63, respectively; those in stage N0 to N3 are 12,48,169,56; the number of cases in clinical stage Ⅰ -Ⅳ are 5,30,141 and 109. With 2002 6th UICC staging system, the number of cases in stage T1 to T4 are 66, 83, 55,81; those in stage N0 to N3 are 26,50,201,8;the number of cases in clinical stage Ⅰ -Ⅳ are 6,40,153 and 86. With Chinese 1992 staging system, the number of cases in stage T1 to T4 are 62,91,71,61; those in stage No to N3 are 26,189,61,9; the number of cases in clinical stage Ⅰ -Ⅳ are 6, 110, 98 and 71. Comparing with the staging results of Chinese 1992 staging system, many cases showed different stage based on Chinese 2008 system including 12 cases (4.21%) inT stage (3 up-staging and 9 down-staging), 217 cases (76.14%) in N stage (216 up-staging, most rise I stage, and 1 down-staging), 123 cases (43. 16% ) in clinical stage ( 121 up-staging and 2 down-staging). Comparing with the staging results of 2002 UICC staging system, 35 cases ( 12. 28% )changes in T stage (8 up-staging and 27 down-staging), 77 cases (27. 02% ) changes in N stage (all upstaging, most rise 1 stage), 74 cases (25. 95% ) changes in clinical stage (54 up-staging and 20 downstaging) based on Chinese 2008. Comparing the constituent ratio of T, N and clinical staging results separately, statistical differences were found between Chinese 2008 and Chinese 1992 staging system in N0,N1, N2, N3, clinical stage Ⅱ , Ⅲ, Ⅳ. Statistical difference was also found in N0, N2, N3, clinical stage Ⅳ between Chinese 2008 and 2002 UICC staging system. χ2 test results show that there is N0 significant difference of T stage constituent ratio among the 3 staging system ( χ2 = 6. 916, P = 0. 329 ), but the difference of N stage and clinical stage constituent ratio are significant( χ2 = 275. 169 and 84. 515, P ＜0. 0125). Conclusion Chinese 2008 Staging System for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is based on MRI, with clear definition to some anatomical location, after deleting some details in the old stage system, it's easier to use. The most obvious change for Chinese 2008 Staging System is the up-staging in N staging,which leads to the changes in clinical stage and constituent ratio of stage result.

BACKGROUND:Disc functional magnetic resonance imaging studies are mostly carried out under lying and a non-load state, and do not reflect the changes in morphology and function of the upright human body under disc load conditions. Therefore, we need to study characteristics of disc functional magnetic resonance imaging in the upright state. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of axial load on apparent diffusion coefficient and T2 of intervertebral discs. METHODS:The study consisted of 17 patients with low back pain aged 34-65 years. Before and after axial load, T2 weighted MR imaging, T1 weighted MR imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and T2-mapping imaging of the lumbar spine were performed. Load quality was 40%-50% body weight. At 10 minutes after axial load, another diffusion tensor imaging was performed. After 15-minute load, another T2-mapping sequence was scanned. Diffusion tensor imaging scan parameters: single echo-planar imaging, repetition time 2 500 ms, echo time 89 ms, six diffusion directions, b value of 400 s/mm2, sweep time 4:10 minutes. Raw data of diffusion tensor imaging were used to construct apparent diffusion coefficient map and b0 map. Apparent diffusion coefficient value of intervertebral discs was calculated before and after loading. T2 map was automaticaly constructed using T2-mapping sequence to measure apparent diffusion coefficient and T2 values in the whole intervertebral disc of nucleus pulposus, and the changes of them were analyzed under short-time axial load. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Pfirrmann grading results in 17 patients with 85 discs were obtained as folows: 0 in Grade I, 26 in Grade II, 19 in Grade III, 30 in Grade IV, and 10 in Grade V. Al 85 disc T2 relaxation time mapping and 84 disc apparent diffusion coefficient mapping were accepted. Under short-time axial load in 84 discs, apparent diffusion coefficient reduced in the whole disc (reduced 38×10-3 mm2/s,Z=2.567,P < 0.05) and nucleus pulposus (reduced 62×10-3mm2/s,Z=3.461,P < 0.05). Apparent diffusion coefficient changes mainly affected Grade Pfirrmann III discs (reduced 55×10-3mm2/s,Z=2.556,P < 0.05). T2 changes mainly affected normal intervertebral discs (Pfirrmann grade II). Under the load, T2 value of intervertebral discs diminished (reduced 3.17 ms,Z=2.967,P < 0.05). No significant difference in apparent diffusion coefficient and T2 value was detected under the load in other grades of the intervertebral discs (P > 0.05). These results suggest that changes in apparent diffusion coefficient and T2 values were different due to different Pfirrmann grades under short-time axial load. To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging function of intervertebral discs, we should choose different evaluation method according to different degeneration degrees.

With the further researches on the immune mechanisms in tumor,more and more scholars notice the phenomenon that radiation activates the immunity,and find that radiotherapy causes immunity suppression is one-sided.Although body's anti-tumor immunity can be enhanced by radiotherapy,in clinical,we observe that patients who receive radiotherapy cannot avoid tumor recurrence and metastasis.Researches show that tumor microenvironment makes the immune checkpoint pathway abnormally activated.Therefore,the combination of radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor can change the tumor microenvironment,and can improve the therapeutic effect.

Objective A new field of organ donation after cardiac death (DCD) has been explored to create additional source to clinic transplantation in China.Methods A 33-years old male patient underwent permanent vegetation state for more than 2 years in ICU after severe head injury.His relatives gave writing consent to donate his organs in order to save his renal failure father and others,if possible,in case of cardiac death.On July 27,2005,the patient's heart arrested.Clinic death was announced.The case was immediately referred to transplant team and Maastricht-V DCD organ procurement was emergently performed and two kidneys were harvested. Estimated warm ischemic time was about 40 min followed by 8 h cold ischemic time.Two adults received the grafts.One of recipients was donor's biological father,namely it was the first case of deceased related renal transplantation (DRRTx) in China.Results Both recipients developed delayed graft function postoperatively and eventually recovered after few weeks.By submission of this article,the DRRTx patient has survived with normal renal function for 77 months (6 years and 5 months).Unfortunately,other patient died from fungus pneumonia after 56 months with normal renal function.Conclusion Non-controlled Maastricht-V DCD could be an additional source to transplantation if prompt reaction could be taken.

Objective To evaluate the role of the combination of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)and angiotensin corwerting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI)in functional protection and long-term survival of renal allograft. Methods Thirty-two renal transplant recipients without diabetes mellitus,whose albuminuria concentration in 24-hours collection was more than 0.5 g/d or serum Cr concentration was higher than 177 mmol/L,were randomly divided into experimental group(n=23,male 9 and female 14 cases,mean age 40 years)and control group(n=9,male 5 and female 4 cases,mean age 35 years).Combination of ARB(Valsartan,80rag Qd)and ACEI(Benazapril,20 mg Bid)theraPy was given to each patient every day for 3 years in experimental group.The recipients in control group never received this administration.The serum Cr concentration,albuminuria in 24-hours collection and survival of renal allograft were compared between the 2 groups after 3 years. Results There was significant difference(P＜0.05) of serum Cr concentration between experimental group and control group(252.2±117.9 mmol/L VS 375.3±203.0 mmol/L),especially for chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN)patieats(282.4±147.3 mmol/L vs 528.7±107.8 mmol/L,P＜0.01).There was no difference (P＞0.05)in terms of the values of alburninuria(1.0±0.6 g/d vs 1.3±0.7 g/d)and survival of renal allograft(76 months VS 71 months)after 3 years between 2 groups.Comclusion The administration of ARB+ACEI could protect function of renal allograft with different pathological changes especially for CAN.

We have investigated the effects of different exercises on middle-aged and old women's bone mineral density (BMD), on the metabolic indexes of bone, on the levels of serum elements, and on the correlation between body components and the indexes. On the basis of informed consent, 90 cantonal women pursued three types of exercises (Taijiquan, Swimming and brisk walking) in Chengdu City. BMD indexes of calcaneus were tested by Osteospace quantitative ultrasound instruments; The serum levels of Mg, Ca, P elements and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined by full-automatic biochemical analysis instrument; The serum level of osteocalcin (BGP) was determined by radioimmunoassay. There were no obvious differences of anthropometric indexes between Taijiquan, Swimming, Brisk walking and Control groups. In comparison with control, the serum levels of Mg element increased significantly in the three exercise groups, and the serum levels of Ca and P element increased significantly in Swimming group and Brisk walking group. The serum levels of BGP and ALP were lower than those of control group, but no statistically significant differences were observed. Speed of sound (SOS) and stiffness index (STI) of BMD indexes in Brisk walking group were significantly higher than in Taijiquan group, Swimming group and Control group, and the prevalences of osteopenia and osteoporosis were the lowest in the Brisk walking group, but no obvious decreases of osteopenia and osteoporosis were observed in Taijiquan group and Swimming group. Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BLIA), SOS, STI of BMD indexes were positively correlated to serum levels of Mg, Ca, P, and were negatively correlated to the serum levels of BGP and ALP, and were positively correlated to body weight, BMI, lean body mass and body fat percentage. In conclusion, brisk walking is a fitting type of exercise for middle-aged and old cantonal women; it maintaines normal levels of bone metabolism.
Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Bone Density ; Exercise ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Walking ; physiology

Objective To evaluate the value of MRS in quantitative assessment of degeneration of lumbar discs.Methods Totally 82 patients with lumbago underwent lumbar MR scanning.All the discs were classified with Pfirrmann grades in the sequences of sagittal T2WI.The area under N-acetyl peak,under water peak and the ratio of N-acetyl/Water were measured by MRS.Correlation between MRS values and Pfirrmann grade,age were analyzed.Results In 82 patients,204 lumbar discs were measured by MRS.There were 89,73,39,3 discs in Pfirrmann Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ,V respectively.The areas of N-acetyl,water peak and N-acetyl/Water ratio of nucleus region were positively correlated with Pfirrmann grading,respectively (rs =-0.460,-0.204,-0.526,all P＜0.05).There were 62,25,37,51,29 discs in patients aged ＜30,30-39,40-49,50-59,＞59 years respectively.The ares of N-acetyl peak,N-acetyl/Water ratio of nucleus region was negatively correlated with the age (rs=-0.247,-0.385,both P＜0.05).Conclusion MRS can be used for quantitative assessment of lumbar discs degeneration.

Objective To analysis the effect of axial loading to ADC value, FA of lumbar intervetebral discs. Methods Forty five patients with low back pain (age range, 25 to 54 years) were evaluated with MR T2WI, MR T1WI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the lumbar spine. Following axial loading with 40% to 50% body weight for 10 minutes, a repeat DTI was performed. DTI were obtained by using an echo-planar imaging ( EPI ) sequence, TE 89 ms, TR 2500 ms, b value of 400 s/mm2,6 noncollinear diffusion directions. Scan time was approximately 4 min 10 s. An isotropic ADC map, FA map and bo map were calculated from DTI sequence. The mean ADC value, FA prior to and following axialloading were analyzed with t test and Rank Sum test. Results Forty five patients with 225 discs were evaluated and 223 discs were included in the study except for 2 calcified discs. The Pfirrmann grading results were as following: 100 Grade Ⅱ , 48 Grade Ⅲ, 59 Grade Ⅳ, and 16 Grade Ⅴ. No significant difference existed in the mean ADC value before [ ( 1666 ± 252 ) × 10-3 mm2/s ] and after [ ( 1662 ± 253 ) ×10 -3 mm2/s ] axial loading ( Z = - 1.363, P ＞ 0.05 ), but the mean FA [ ( 301 ± 104 ) × 10 -3, ( 316 ±112) × 10-3 ] value increased ( Z = - 2.794, P ＜ 0.05 ). The paired-samples t test show that the mean ADC value [ ( 1685 ± 190) × 10-3 mm2/s, ( 1624 ± 180) × 10-3mm2/s] of Grade Ⅲ discs decreased after axial loading, t=3.513, P＜0. 05, Grade Ⅲ, Ⅳdiscs mean FA value [(300±87) ×10-3, (326±87) ×10-3 for Grade Ⅲ and (348 ±67) × 10-3, (351 ± 71 ) × 10-3 for Grade Ⅳ ] increased, t = - 2. 210,- 2.006, P ＜ 0.05. No significant difference existed in Grade Ⅱ , Ⅳ and Ⅴ discs ADC value, all the P ＞0.05. No significant difference existed in Grade Ⅱ and Ⅴ discs FA value, both the P ＞ 0.05. Conclusions Short time axial loading mainly affect the mildly degenerated discs, the ADC value decreases and the disc diffusion ability decreases. No obvious change in ADC value or disc diffusion ability existed in the normal and severely degenerated discs.

Objective To analyze the medication rules of Professor LAO Shaoxian in the treatment of gastric stuffiness based on syndrome differentiation.Methods The effective prescriptions for patients with gastric stuffiness treated by Professor LAO Shaoxian from March 2017 to March 2022 were collected,and the general information,chief complaints,diagnosis,syndrome differentiation and prescriptions of patients were extracted.Excel software and the ancient and modern medical records cloud platform(V 2.3.7)were used to construct the prescription database.Data mining function was used to carry out analysis of the syndrome type of prescription,analysis of the frequency and property of Chinese herbs,as well as association rule analysis and cluster analysis.Results A total of 272 prescriptions were included,involving 164 kinds of medicinal herbs.The main traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome types are damp-heat syndrome and qi stagnation syndrome.The frequency of 25 herbs was more than or equal to 30 times.The representative herbs is Pinellinae Rhizoma Praeparatum,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Perillae Caulis and Aucklandiae Radix.The medicinal properties are mainly warm and flat.The medicinal flavors are spicy,bitter and sweet.The drug meridians mainly included the spleen,stomach and lung meridians,followed by the liver meridian.There were 23 core drug pairs obtained by association rules,such as"Aucklandiae Radix-Perillae Caulis","Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium-Perillae Caulis",and"Pinellinae Rhizoma Praeparatum-Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium".Clustering analysis of drugs can be divided into three combinations,which have the effects of regulating qi and relieving distension,resolving dampness,and clearing heat and detoxifying.Conclusion The core prescription of Professor LAO Shaoxian in the treatment of gastric stuffiness is Aucklandiae Radix,Perillae Caulis,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Pinellinae Rhizoma Praeparatum,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Kaki Calyx,Aurantii Fructus Immaturus and Arecae Pericarpium.It focuses on regulating qi movement of middle jiao and treating spleen and stomach simultaneously.The main therapeutic method is regulating qi and relieving distension.At the same time,attention should be paid to the application of dampness-dispelling and stagnation-removing,heat-clearing and detoxifying drugs.The clinical therapy of Professor LAO Shaoxian on gastric stuffiness is significant,which can be used as a reference for diagnosis and treatment.

Generally speaking,the organism can maintain the stability of T cells.The lymphopeniainduced homeostatic proliferation of T cells could be driven by the recognition of autoantigen including tumor antigen in the absence of foreign antigens or inflammatory signals.This process can break tumor-induced immune tolerance and induce a powerful antitumor immunity.It is confirmed that some negative immune molecules are recruited during the homeostatic proliferation,then the antitumor immunity will be impaired.