Objective To build a nomogram of normal fetal lung volumes (left,right and total)throughout gestational age estimated by 3-dimensional ultrasonography.Methods Left and right lung volumes were assessed in 324 normal and singleton fetuses of gestational age 16-37 weeks by 3-dimensional ultrasonography using the technique of virtual organ computer-aided analysis(VOCAL) at a rotational step of 30 degrees.The relationships between left,right,and total lung volumes,and gestational age were assessed by correlation and regression analysis.Results The right,left,and total lung volumes were highly correlated with gestational age (P＜0.001),and the correlation coefficient was 0.966,0.973 and 0.990respectively.The best-fit exponential curve regression equations of left lung volume was:y=0.207exp~(0.143X);right lung volume was:y=0.301 exp~(0.14X);total lung volume was:y=0.508 exp~(0.142X).Conclusions A nomogram of fetal lung volumes estimated by 3-dimensional ultrasonography from 16 to 37weeks gestation is described,and reference values may be useful for the prenatal prediction of pulmonary hypoplasia.

Objective To assess the efficacy of high dose dexamethasone combined with bortezomib and thalidomide in multiple myeloma (MM) patients with acute renal failure.Methods 23 newly diagoosed MM patients with acute renal failure were treated with high dose dexamethasone combined with bortezomib and thalidomide.Results Reversal of renal failure was documented in 58.3 ％ (7/12) of those severe renal failure patients and 81.8 ％ (9/11) of renal failure patients.Renal function was reversed in 69.5 ％ (16/23) of all patients.The total response rate for MM was 60.9 ％ (14/23).The median time to response was 2 (1-5) months. Overall survival (OS) at 3 years was 56.5 ％ and the median survival time was 34.4 months.Conclusion Renal failure was reversible in the majority of newly diagnosed MM patients treated with highdose dexamethasone containing regimens.The addition of novel agents thalidomide and (or) bortezomib is safe and induces a more rapid renal failure reversal compared with routine chemotherapy.

PlexinC1 is a large transmembrane protein widely distributed,which belongs to receptor system. PlexinC1 is expressed by monocyte,T-cells,B-cells,dendritic cells,neutrophils,and platelets. Recent researches showed that plexinC1 was intensely associated with lung injury,asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. PlexinC1 binded to its corresponding ligand and activated cellular signal pathway,which then participating in pathophysiologic processes of diseases mentioned above. Reasonably,PlexinC1 influences the development, prognosis of lung diseases and would provide a new target in control and treatment of lung diseases. This pa-per reviewed simply the formation,distribution,function of plexinC1 and the role of it playing in the associat-ed lung diseases.

Objective To compare the efficacy and toxicity of thalidomide-COMP (T-COMP) and thalidomide-VAD (T-VAD) regimens in previously untreated multiple myeloma (MM) patients.Methods Forty-nine newly diagnosed MM patients were randomly allocated to either A group (thalidomide-MP/-COMP,19 cases) or B group (thalidomide-VAD,30 cases).All patients received thalidomide 200 mg p.o.daily.Patients in group A received additionally vincristine 0.4 mg i.v.on day 1-4,cyclophosphamide 200 mg i.v.on day 1-4,melphalan 4 mg tid p.o.on days 1-5,prednisone 60 mg p.o.daily on days 1-5.Patients in group B received additionally vincristine 0.4 mg i.v.on day 1-4 and epirubicin 10 mg/m2 i.v.,on day 1-4 and dexamethasone 40 mg p.o.daily on days 1-4,9-12 and 17-20 for the first cycle and on days 1-4 for the next three cycles.Treatment was administered every 28 days.The therapeutic response was evaluated based on the International Myeloma Working Group Criteria (IMWG 2006) after the treatment.The toxicity was graded according to NCI common terminology criteria for adverse events v 3.0.Results On an intention-to-treat basis,at least partial therapeutic response was observed.The rates were 73.7 ％ and 53.3 ％ in group A and B respectively (x2 =2.029,P =0.154).Overall survival (OS) rate at 2 years were 52.6 ％ (10/19) in group A and 53.3 ％ (16/30) in group B,respectively (x2 =2.468,P =0.116).Considering overall toxicity,constipation,peripheral neuropathy,dizziness/somnolence,skin rash and edema were significantly higher in group B compared with group A,but the incidence of toxicities grade 3-4 was low and similar in both arms.Conclusion The overall response rate of T-MP/T-COMP regimen is similar with that of T-VAD regimen,suggesting this regimen cannot be chosen as the first treatment for patients with non-implantation therapy.

Animals ; Antiparasitic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bronchopneumonia ; drug therapy ; parasitology ; Child ; China ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Myiasis ; complications ; diagnosis ; parasitology ; therapy ; Skin Diseases, Parasitic ; drug therapy ; parasitology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Asthma ; prevention & control ; Child ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Yangxue Tongluo Recipe (YTR) combined with immunosuppressive agents in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSTotally 88 RA patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group [47 cases, YTR combined Methotrexate (MTX) + Leflunomide (LEF) treatment] and the control group (41 cases, MTX + LEF therapy). All patients received 12-week treatment. Clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory tests [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), and C reactive protein (CRP)], and adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 91.5% (43/47 cases) in the treatment group, and the total effective rate was 75.6% (31/41 cases) in the control group. There was statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The morning stiffness, the rest pain, the number of tender joints, the number of swollen joints, tender joint index, swollen joint index, ESR, RF, and CRP were significantly improved in the two groups after treatment (P < 0.01). Besides, clinical symptoms and signs, ESR, RF, and CRP were more improved in the treatment group after treatment, when compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). Gastrointestinal discomfort was the main adverse reaction in the two groups, but the occurrence was lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical efficacy of YTR combined MTX + LEF in the treatment of RA was better than using Western medicine alone. It was more safe with less adverse reactions.

Adult ; Antirheumatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

Age-related macular degeneration ( AMD ) is one of a leading worldwide cause of blindness. AMD is a multifactorial disease, and major risk factors include increasing age, current smoking, previous cataract surgery, environmental factors, nutritional factors, genetic markers through genetic regulate complement, lipid, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix. In addition to treatment, epidemiology, risk factors and genetics research of AMD have been significantly progressed. This article will review risk factors of AMD.

To compare the activity of RGD-TRAIL in different expression systems, RGD-TRAIL in both Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Pichia pastoris was constructed and expressed. In vitro activity of RGD-TRAIL from Pichia pastoris expression system was also analyzed. Genetic engineering techniques were used to construct recombinant plasmid pET30-rgd-trail and pHBM-rgd-trail. The recombinant protein RGD-TRAIL was purified with Ni ion affinity chromatography after induction. MTT assay, ELISA, scratch wound healing, transwell migration assay and Hoechst 33342 staining were performed to detect the effects of RGD-TRAIL on proliferation, binding activity, migration and apoptosis. The expression of apoptosis-associated proteins was detected by Western blotting. Recombinant protein RGD-TRAIL was successfully expressed in a form of inclusion body in E.coli, while expressed secretorily in Pichia pastoris. It possessed more potent cytotoxicity than RGD-TRAIL in E.coli by MTT assay. The RGD-TRAIL expressed by Pichia pastoris showed powerful binding affinity with cancer cells expressing α(v), DR4, DR5 and highly potent cytotoxicity through inducing apoptosis of cancer cells. Nuclear fragmentation was examined by Hoechst 33342 staining. Cleaved PARP and caspase-3 were also detected after incubation with RGD-TRAIL. Additionally, RGD-TRAIL inhibited migration significantly in A549 and HT1080 cells. The results demonstrate that Pichia pastoris expression system is more suitable for the recombinant protein RGD-TRAIL. Its binding affinity and antitumor activity might make RGD-TRAIL a promising candidate for cancer therapy.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chromatography, Affinity ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Oligopeptides ; biosynthesis ; pharmacology ; Pichia ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; pharmacology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; biosynthesis ; pharmacology

Epilepsy, Generalized ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Malformations of Cortical Development ; complications