Purpose:To evaluate the feasibility of irradiat ion to the metastatic retroperitoneal lymph nodes using three-dimensional confo rmal radiotherapy (3-DCRT) and to assess the irradiation side effects. Methods:From Jun. 1997 to Sep. 2000, 52 patients of metastatic retroperitoneal lymph nodes were treated with 3-DCRT.These patients had receive d radical therapy for their primary tumors. 50 of them had been proved by pathol ogical examination. Radiotherapy was designed by Elekta company’s 3-D treatmen t plan. Dose volume histography (DVH) was used to verify and optimize the radiat ion plan. Using 5～6 conformal portals,the total irradiation dose was 40 Gy an d delivered at 4～5Gy per fraction every other day,to a total of 8～10 fractions in 16～20 days. The immediate responses and side effects were evaluated accordi ng to the WHO and RTOG criterion system. Results:According to Karnofsky criterion system the median scor e was raised 21.3. Three months after irradiation, the complete ,partial and tot al response rates were 38.6%(27/70), 54.3%(38/70)and 92.9%(65/70),respect ively. The early response was related to the target volume and pathological clas sification. The smaller the target volume, the better the response(? 2 = 1 5.211,P=0.004).The anaplastic carcinoma cases had better results than the squamous carcinomas and adenocarcinomas(? 2 =13.455,P=0.009).The 1- ,2- and 3- year survival rates were 59.6%(31/52)、23.1%(12/52)and 9.6%(5/ 52),respectively. Conclusions:Three dimensional conformal radiotherapy can be con sidered as an effective and feasible approach for the treatment of metastatic r etroperitoneal lymph nodes,and no serious complications were observed.

Objective To study the appearance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in early stages of cartilage degeneration and to detect its values.Methods Intra articular injection of 5 units of papain causing a reversible loss of cartilage proteoglycan in the New Zealand rabbit knees.Rabbits were scanned with magnetic resonance imaging,using a 0 3 T Hitachi magnet with 16 cm coil.Gradient echo sequences and spin echo sequences were performed in the sagittal planes at 0,24,48 and 72 hours after intra injection of papain.Then signal intensity and thickness of cartilage were measured.The proteoglycan content was measured biochemically and histochemically.Results The cartilage thickness and signal intensity decreased significantly in treated knees compared with control knees at 24 and 48 hours ( P 0 05) after injection of papain.These changes on magenetic resonance (MR) images were consistent with the changes of proteoglycan concentration measured by biochemical analysis and histochemical staining of cartilage.Conclusion It is possible for MRI to detect the early stages of cartilage degeneration.

Aim To investigate the effects of leptin on ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression and protein production, and the roles of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators transcription(JAK/STAT) signaling transduction pathway in increased ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression stimulated by leptin in activated hepatic stellate cells(HSCs).Methods Firstly, ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression and protein production as well as JAK1 and STAT3 phosphorylation induced by leptin at different doses in a human HSC cell line, LX-2 were determined by RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western-blot.Secondly, the effects of JAK1 inhibitor AG490 on JAK1 phosphorylation and ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression stimulated by leptin were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR. Thirdly, the roles of AG490 and transfection with STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide(STAT3-ASON) in STAT3 phosphorylation after leptin were detected by Western blot. Finally, the effect of transfection with STAT3-ASON on ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression after leptin was measured by RT-PCR.Results Leptin increased ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression and protein production in a dose-dependent manner in LX-2, reaching a maximal level at 80 ?g?L-1 leptin. In addition, phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT3 after leptin exhibited a time-dependent effect. Besides, JAK1 inhibitor AG490 completely blocked JAK1 and STAT3 phosphorylation and increased in ?1(Ⅰ) collagen gene expression after leptin in LX-2. Transfection with STAT3-ASON blocked STAT3 phosphorylation and increased ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA by leptin in LX-2.Conclusion Leptin had a direct action on liver fibrogenesis by stimulating ?1(Ⅰ) collagen mRNA expression and protein production in activated HSC, and JAK/STAT signaling transduction pathway was involved in the process. JAK1 inhibitor AG490 and transfection with STAT3-ASON blocked the transduction pathway effectively in LX-2. Leptin may be an important factor in the development of hepatic fibrosis. Activated JAK1 and STAT3 signaling in human HSC line provided a novel molecular target for therapeutic intervention of liver fibrosis.

Objective To study the correlation of fingerprint chromatograms of Cinnamomi Ramulus formula granules, decoction pieces and water decoction by HPLC; To investigate the difference of main chemical constituents among different forms. Methods The Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) was used with mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, with detection wave of 280 nm and temperature of 30 ℃. The detection of 10 batches of Cinnamomi Ramulus formula granules, 10 batches of decoction pieces and 10 batches of water decoction were established respectively. Results Totally 12 peaks in the HPLC fingerprint chromatogram from 10 batches of formula granules could be tracked in the water decoction; 10 peaks in the HPLC fingerprint chromatogram could be tracked in the decoction pieces. Three components, such as protocatechuic acid, coumarin and cinnamic acid were verified. Conclusion The main chemical components of Cinnamomi Ramulus formula granules and water decoction are basically the same, and the common component contents have similar proportion.

Humanin(HN,its analogue [Gly14]-Humanin,HNG)was originally identified as an endogenous peptide that protects neuronal cells from apoptosis induced by various types of Alzheimer's disease-related insults.But the relative low content of this peptide in its natural sources limits its further characterization.An expression vector pET32a/HNG was corstructed and transformed it into E.coli BL21 trxB(DE3).HNG was expressed as a fusion protein in the soluble fraction and was purified by nickel affinity chromatography.Subsequently,the purified fusion protein was cleaved by enterokinase and was further purified by reverse-phase HPLC.A 23 mg recombinant HNG(rHNG)from 1 L bacterial culture was purified.The molecular weight of rHNG determined by ESI-MS was 2876.5 Da which was the expected size for correctly processed peptide.The N-terminal amino acid sequence of rHNG determined by Edman degradation method is identical to the theoretical sequence.Neuroprotective bioassay studies of rHNG exhibited its potential neuroprotective effect comparable to that of the natural HNG peptide.

Objective To study the clinical curative effect of Tongqiao Huoxue decoction combined with edaravone and hyperbaric oxygen for treatment of delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP). Methods A prospective study was conducted. Forty-six patients with DEACMP admitted into Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang Medical College from January 2012 to January 2014 were randomly divided into observation group (23 cases) and control group (23 cases). The basic treatments of two groups were identical. Based on the basic treatments including hyperbaric oxygen and citicoline sodium injection etc, the observation group was treated with our-self made Tongqiao Huoxue decoction which could be modified in accord to the individual differentiation of syndromes in traditional Chinese medicine (the composition of decoction included Paeoniae Radix Rubra 15 g, Chuanxiong Rhizoma 15 g, Persicae Semen 15 g, Carthami Flos 15 g, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens 3 pieces, Jujubae Fructus 2 pieces, Moschus 0.5 g, Allium Fistulosum 1 segment). The decoction was administered orally or by nasogastric gavage, one dosage everyday for 1 month, and in the mean time, edaravone intravenously drip 30 mg was given to the observation group twice a day for 14 days. The control group was given hyperbaric oxygen and other conventional treatment for 30 days. The clinical therapeutic effect and adverse reaction were observed after treatment for 30 days. The changes of intelligent level were detected by Hasegawa dementia scale (HDS), and the changes of latency of P300 were measured by electromyologram/evoked potential instrument in two groups before and after treatment. Results The total effective rate in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group [91.3% (21/23) vs. 65.2% (15/23), P < 0.01]. Elevation of creatinine occurred in 1 case, moderate increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) appeared in 1 case, and both of them were reduced to normal after treatment in observation group; no adverse reaction occurred in control group. The HDS scores were significantly higher 30 days after treatment than those before treatment in the two groups [control group:13.4±2.8 vs. 6.8±2.3, observation group:20.8±3.4 vs. 6.6±2.5, both P<0.05]. The latency of P300 after treatment was significantly lower in two groups than that before treatment [control group (ms): 355.7±25.7 vs. 385.5±27.8, observation group (ms): 337.3±24.6 vs. 386.8±25.4, both P < 0.05], the change in observation group being more significant [the HDS score: 20.8±3.4 vs. 13.4±2.8, the latency of P300 (ms): 337.3±24.6 vs. 355.7±25.7, both P<0.05]. Conclusion Tongqiao Huoxue decoction combined with edaravone and hyperbaric oxygen has favorable cognitive effect on patients with DEACMP, thus, it can be used extensively in clinic.

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of point sticking therapy and Chinese herbs on hyperplasia of mammary glands. Methods Sixty-three female patients with hyperplasia of mammary glands were randomly divided into an observation group (n=33) and a control group (n=30). The observation group were treated with point sticking therapy, i.e., Sanleng (Rhizoma Spargani), Ezhu (Rhizoma Zedoariae), Zhi Nanxing (Pedate Pinallia Jackinthepulpit Rhizome) and Bingpian (Borneolum) were made a plaster to apply Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Ashi points on breast. The control group were treated with oral administration of Rupixiao.

RESULTSAfter treatment of 3 courses, the total effective rate was 97.0% in the observation group, and 83.3% in the control group, the former significantly being better than the latter (P < 0.05). The score of mastalgia improvement was (13.82 +/- 5.90) points in the observation group and (7.00 +/- 3.89) points in the control group with a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONooint sticking therapy has a definite therapeutic effect n hyperplasia of mammary glands.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Breast ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Tennis Elbow ; therapy

Hypokalemia is a common clinical symptom. It is quite important to clarify the cause of hypokalemia. Autoimmune thyroid disease and primary Sjogren syndrome ( pSS ) have a common genetic predisposition. The coexistence of both diseases is frequent. Renal tubular acidosis ( RTA) is one of the causes of hypokalemia, which can be primary and secondary to other diseases in etiology. Primary RTA is more common in children. As for adults, RTA is often secondary to pSS. In this paper, we reported a case of hypokalemia caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis associated with primary Sjogren’s syndrome and renal tubular acidosis in order to call attention to the special cause and treatment of hypokalemia.