BACKGROUND:Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cels are able to repair and regenerate the injured myocardium, which is a new therapy for myocardial infarctionvia transplantation. OBJECTIVE:To explore the therapeutic efficacy of intracoronary injection of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cels on acute myocardial infarction in rats. METHODS:Thirty-two rats were selected to make animal models of ligation of the left anterior descending coronary, and then model rats were randomized equaly to transplantation group and model group. Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cels were isolated and prepared into cel suspension. Rats in the transplantation group were subjected to transplantation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cels. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cels were successfuly isolated and cultured in vitro. Compared with the model group, the microvessel density, left ventricular end-systolic pressure and ±dp/dtmax were significantly increased in the transplantation group (P < 0.05), while the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was decreased dramaticaly (P < 0.05). Electrocardiography findings showed that the heart function of rats in the transplantation group was improved slightly. These findings indicate that human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cels can promote myocardial angiogenesis and improve heart function of rats with myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND:Stem cels have multi-directional differentiation and self-replication abilities, under certain conditions, which can differentiate into myocardial cels to repair the damaged myocardium. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of transplantation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cels derived at different gestational weeks on infarct size and angiogenesis in the infarct region of experimental rabbits with myocardial infarction. METHODS: Ten ful-term umbilical cord samples and 10 umbilical cord samples of aborted fetuses at 10-12 gestation weeks were selected to in vitro isolate umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cels that were subjected to BrdU labeling. HLA-G expression was detected in the cels. Thirty white rabbits were selected to make myocardial infarction models, and 2 weeks after modeling, the model rabbits were randomized into aborted cel transplantation group, ful-term cel transplantation group and control group (n=10 per group). Then, BrdU-labeled cels were injected correspondingly into the infarct region of rabbits in the two cel transplantation groups. Rabbits in the control group were subjected to an equal volume of serum-free. Four weeks after transplantation, heart function of rabbits was monitored using electrocardiogram, and myocardial tissues were taken to measure infarct size and blood capilary density. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: HLA-G expression was different in different sources of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cels: high HLA-G expression was found in the aborted umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cels, and meanwhile, low HLA-G expression was found in the ful-term umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cels. Compared with the control group, the left ventricular end-diastolic volume and left ventricular ejection fraction of aborted and ful-term cel transplantation groups were significantly improved, especialy in the aborted cel transplantation group (P < 0.05). BrdU-positive cels were found in the infarct site in both transplantation groups. Compared with the control group, the infarct size and capilary density were improved most significantly in the aborted cel transplantation group folowed by the ful-term cel transplantation group (P < 0.05). Electrocardiogram findings showed significant improvement in both cel transplantation groups compared with the control group (P < 0.05), especialy in the aborted cel transplantation group. These findings indicate that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cels derived at low gestational weeks improve the heart function more significantly than the ful-term umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cels, which have the potential to become a better source of cardiomyocytes for transplantation.

BACKGROUND:A large amount of inflammatory mediators from myocardial cels are secreted in response to myocardial injury after myocardial ischemia. Moreover, inflammatory cytokines in infarction and ischemia regions contribute to myocardial tissue repair and adaptation.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) pretreatment on cardiac function of myocardial infarction rabbits undergoing umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cel transplantation.
METHODS: Thirty-six white rabbits were equally randomized into sham, model, non-TNF-α, and TNF-αgroups. Animal models of myocardial infarction were made in the latter three groups. Twenty-four hours after modeling, PBS, umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells pretreated with or without TNF-α were injected at infarct center and border, respectively, in the model, TNF-α and non-TNF-α groups.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Model rabbits in the TNF-α and non-TNF-α groups showed better cardiac function and lower size of myocardial infarction and fibrosis than those in the model group. Compared with the non-TNF-α group, moreover, the TNF-α group showed better outcomes in these indicators. These findings indicate that TNF-α pretreatment canmarkedly improve the therapeutic efficacy of umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cel transplantation on myocardial infarction.

Objective To study the real?time dose verification with 2D array ion chamber array in volumetric modulated arc therapy ( VMAT) with a 2D array ion chamber array. Methods The 2D ion chamber array was fixed on the panel of electronic portal imaging device (EPID). Source?detector distance (SDD) was 140 cm. 8 mm RW3 solid water was added to the 2D array to improve the signal noise ratio. Patient plans for esophageal, prostate and liver cancers were selected to be delivered on the cylindrical Cheese phantom 5 times in order to validate the reproducibility of doses. Real?time patient transit dose measurements were performed at each fraction. Dose distributions were evaluated using gamma index criteria of 3 mm DTA and 3% dose difference referred to the first time result. Results The gamma index pass rate in the Cheese phantom were about 98%;the gamma index pass rate for esophageal, prostate and liver cancer patient were about 92%, 92% and 94%, respectively. Gamma pass rate for all single fraction were more than 90%. Conclusions The 2D array is capable of monitoring the real time transit doses during VMAT delivery. It is helpful to improve the treatment accuracy.

Objective To observe efficacy of different acupuncture and moxibustion methods for treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Methods One hundred and sixty-three cases were randomly divided into electroacupuncture group (42 cases), warm acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture group (37 cases), ginger moxibustion group (44 cases) and control group (40 cases). All groups received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Three acupuncture and moxibustion groups received electroacupuncture, warm acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture, ginger moxibustion to stimulate bilateral Zusanli (ST36), Neiguan (PC6), respectively, once a day. The control group was given tropisetron hydrochloride 5 mg+normal saline 100 mL, 30 min before chemotherapy intravenously, once a day to the end of chemotherapy. The number and degree of vomiting and the serum 5-HT content were tested, and the safety test was conducted. Results The complete control rate and effective control rate of acute vomiting of electroacupuncture group and warm acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture group were higher than those of ginger moxibustion group and control group (P<0.05). The complete control rate of delayed vomiting in warm acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture group was significantly higher than that of electroacupuncture group, ginger moxibustion group and control group (P<0.05); The effective control rate was higher than that of ginger moxibustion group and control group (P<0.05); Electroacupuncture group and Ginger moxibustion group were higher than the control group (P<0.05). The scores of acute vomiting in electroacupuncture group and warm acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture group were lower than others (P<0.05). In delayed vomiting, warm acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture group's score was lower than other groups, with statistical significance (P<0.05); Electroacupuncture group and ginger moxibustion group were lower than that incontrol groups, with statistical significance (P<0.05). The levels of serum 5-HT in electroacupuncture group and ginger moxibustion group were higher than warm acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), but lower than the control group (P<0.05). No obvious adverse reactions were found in each group. Conclusion Different acupuncture methods had different clinical effects on acute vomiting and delayed vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

This study analyzed the pesticide residue and heavy metal contents in Panaxnotoginseng (Burk.) F.H.Chen to provide the basis for the quality criterion of pollution-freemedicinal materials and slices of notoginseng.We randomly collected 100 samples of notoginseng from farmer's markets,producing areas of notoginseng and internet markets.We entrusted the third-party authoritative testing institutions to detect 203 items of the pesticide residues and 4 items of heavy metals.According to relative standards of Japan,Korea,the United States and the European Union,we analyzed and summarized the data in this study.We confirmed the 25 species of pesticides with high operating frequency and detection rate and the limited amount index of 4 heavy metals.In conclusion,these results enriched the limited amount index of the pesticide residues and heavy metal contents based on the previous notoginseng standard system serving as the quality criterion of pollution-free notoginseng,which was applicative and operable.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of active breathing control (ABC) in conformal radiotherapy (CRT) for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods From Feb 2005 to Mar 2008, 29 patients with inoperable NSCLC (stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ) were evaluated. For each patient, two series of CT scans were obtained with free breathing (FB) and ABC system during simulation, respectively. Then two confonnal radiotherapy (CRT) plans were finished based on the two sets of reconstructed images. The pattern of post-inspiratory breath-hold was triggered at 80% of the peak of inspiration curve. The margin of clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) was 0. 6 cm for lesions of the superior lobe, and 1.0 cm for the lesions of middle and inferior lobes. Three to five coplanar fields were performed in conformal radiotherapy. The gross tumor volume (GTV), CTV, PTV, volume of the bilateral lungs (Volume_(lung)), V_(20) and mean lung dose (MLD) of two plans were evaluated by dose-volume histogram (DVH). The World Health Organization criteria and National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria 3.0 (NCI-CTC3.0) scale were used to assess the immediate response and acute side-effect, respectively. Results Significant differences of GTV, CTV, FIN, Volum_(lung), V_(20) and MDL were observed between the two plans (36. 35 cm~3 vs. 31.40 cm~3, t = 9. 70, P <0. 001 ;82. 33 cm~3 vs. 70. 83 cm~3, t = 8. 19, P < 0. 001 ; 230. 73 cm~3 vs. 197.59 cm~3 ,t=5.72,P <0. 001 ;21.66% vs. 18. 76% ,t = 11.16,P <0. 001 ;1329. 07 Gy vs. 1143. 14 Gy, t = 13. 24, P < 0. 001). With ABC, all patients completed their treatment successfully except one patient for financial problems. The median radiation dose to the GTV was 64 Gy (60 -64 Gy). The overall immediate response rate was 64% (18/28). According to the NCI-CTC 3.0, grade 1 and 2 acute radiation-related toxicities occurred in 68% (19/28) and 18% (5/28) of patients for esophagitis, 82% (23/28) and 7% (2/28) for pneumonitis, respectively. Grade 1, 2 and 3 bone marrow suppression occurred in 57% (16/28), 25% (7/28) and 14% (4/28) of patients, respectively. Grade 1 and 2 acute cardiac injuries occurred in 86% (24/28) and 14% (4/28) of patients. Conclusions During CRT for patients with NSCLC, the use of ABC can decrease the radiation dose and acute complications of normal tissues.