The contents of adenosine, gastrodin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, parishin and sulfur dioxide residue were compared in differently-processed Gastrodiae Rhizoma to provide the basis for a reasonable processing method of Gastrodiae Rhizoma. The analysis was performed on a Merck Purospher STAR column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and water (containing 0.1% formic acid) under gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The eluates were detected at 270 nm, and the column temperature was 35°C. The content of adenosin, gastrodin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde and parishin in processing of boiling or sulfur-fumigated were lower than that of in processing of steaming. Furthermore, the sulfur dioxide residue of sulphur-fumigated groups exceed 400 mg x kg(-1). This stable and reliable method will contribute to the quality control of different processed Gastrodiae Rhizoma.
Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Gastrodia ; chemistry ; Sulfur Dioxide ; analysis ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical efficacy of pediatric liver transplantation, and investigate the characters of pediatric liver transplantation in their indications, surgical procedures and postoperative management.

METHODSFrom August 2000 to March 2007, 23 liver transplantations were performed on 20 children, aging from 6 months to 13 years old. The most common indications were biliary atresia, Wilson's disease, glycogen storage disease and urea cycle defects. Surgical procedures included 4 living donor liver transplantations, 1 Domino liver transplantation, 5 split grafts, 10 reduced liver grafts and 3 whole cadaveric grafts. The triple-drug (FK506, steroid and MMF) immunosuppressive regimen was used in 19 children, except one children using cyclosporine.

RESULTSThree children died of primary non-function, heart failure and abdominal infections respectively during peri-operative period, and the mortality was 15.0%. Nine children showed different post-operative complications including 2 hepatic artery thrombosis, 1 portal vein thrombosis, 1 acute rejection, 3 biliary leakage, 2 biliary stricture, 2 intestinal fistula, 3 abdominal infection, 1 pulmonary infection and 1 heart failure. Cumulative patient survival rates at 6-month, 1-and 2-year were 80.0%, 73.9% and 73.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSLiver transplantation is an effective option to cure the liver disease of children with end-stage. Different surgical procedure could be chosen according to the children's age and body weight.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Infant ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDAlthough liver transplantation has become a standard therapy for end-stage liver diseases, the experience of pediatric liver transplantation is limited in China. In this article we report our experience in pediatric liver transplantation, and summarize its characters in their indications, surgical techniques, and postoperative managements.

METHODSThirty-one children (< or = 18 years old) underwent liver transplantation in our centers. The mean age at transplantation was 12.4 years old (ranged from 5 months to 18 years) with 7 children being less than 4 years of age at transplantation. The most common diagnosis of patients who underwent liver transplantation were biliary atresia, Wilson's disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, glycogen storage disease, hepatoblastoma, urea cycle defects, fulminant hepatic failure, etc. The surgical procedures included 12 standard (without venovenous bypass), 6 pigyback, 6 reduced-size, 3 split, 3 living donor liver transplantation, and 1 Domino liver transplantation. The triple-drug (FK506, steroid, and mycophenolate mofetil) immunosuppressive regimen was used in most of patients. Patients were followed up for a mean of 21.8 months.

RESULTSFive of the 31 patients died during perioperative time; mortality rate was 16.1%. The reasons of death were infections, primary non-function, heart failure, and hypovolemic shock. Postoperative complications in 10 patients included biliary leakage, acute rejection, abdominal infection, hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and pulmonary infection. Overall patient cumulative survival rate at 1-, 3-, and 5-year was 78.1%, 62.6%, 62.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe most common indications of pediatric liver transplantation were congenital end-stage liver diseases. According to patients' age and body weight, standard, piggyback, reduced-size, split, or living donor liver transplantation should be performed. Pediatric liver transplantation especially requires higher surgical skills. The early postoperative management is the key to success. Postoperative bile leak was common, but most patients underwent liver transplantation had a better prognosis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; mortality ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of TNM staging and combined treatment mode on the survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

METHODSFrom January 1997 to December 2002, 987 NSCLC patients were surgically treated in this hospital. Of those, 574 received combined modality therapy (surgery + chemotherapy/radiotherapy), while 413 underwent operation alone. Their clinicopathological data were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates were 87.7%, 57.5%, 54.6% and 54.5%, respectively, for the whole group, which were 90.6%, 57.5%, 54.3% and 54.1% for the combined therapy group versus 83.8%, 57.6%, 55.2% and 55.2% for the group treated by surgical resection alone. The 1-year survival rate of the combined therapy group was significantly higher than that of the surgical resection alone group (90.6% vs. 83.8%) (P<0.01). With regard to the T factor, 5-year survival rate of the combined therapy group (surgery + radiotherapy) was higher than that of surgery alone group, especially in T4 cases (43.6% vs. 12.7%), with a significant difference between them (P<0. 05). As for the N factor, the 1-year survival rate of NO patients in the combined therapy group (surgery + chemotherapy/radiotherapy) was significantly higher than that of surgery alone group (94.4%, 97.9% vs. 90.0%) (P<0.05). The 1-year survival rate of N1 patients in the combined therapy group (surgery + chemotherapy or + chemotherapy and radiotherapy) was 91.7% and 100% versus 82.9% in the surgery alone group (P<0.01); The 1- and 3-year survival rates of N2 patients in the combined modality therapy group (surgery + chemotherapy) were 82.1% and 37.3%, while those of the surgery alone group were 69.4% and 26.5%, respectively, with a significant difference (P<0.05, P<0.01). All the severity of primary tumor, distance of lymph node involvement, and distant tumor metastasis significantly worsen the prognosis of the patients.

CONCLUSIONThe prognosis in NSCLC patients treated with combined modality therapy (surgery + chemotherapy/radiotherapy) is better than that with surgery alone. The larger the original tumor and the farther the lymph node and tumor metastases, the worse the prognosis is for NSCLC patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pneumonectomy ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; diagnosis ; etiology ; genetics ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Statistical ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies

Objective To investigate the effects of DL-3-n-Butylphthalide(NBP)on proliferation and apoptosis of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP +)-induced SH-SY5Y cells, and mechanisms via mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) signaling pathway. Methods The SH-SY5Y cells were divided into control group,MPP+group,NBP group and URMC-099 group,that cultured normally,with 1 mmol/L MPP+for 24 hours,with 10μmol/L NBP for 3 hours and then with MPP+for 24 hours,and with 200 nmol/L MLK3 inhibitor URMC-099 for 3 hours and then with MPP+for 24 hours,respectively.The morphology of SH-SY5Y cells was observed under inverted phase contrast mi-croscope and the survival rate was measured with 3-(4,5-Cimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assays.The apoptosis was quantified under flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI fluorescence staining,and the nuclear morphology was observed with Hoechst 33342 staining.The expression of phosphorylated protein of MLK3(p-MLK3),c-Jun N-terminal kinase(p-JNK),extra cellular regulated protein ki-nases(p-ERK1/2)were detected with Western blotting.Results Compared with the control group,the survival rate reduced and apoptosis in-creased in MPP+group(P<0.05),with the increase of p-MLK3 and p-JNK and decrease of p-ERK1/2 d(P<0.05).Compared with MPP+group,the survival rate increased and apoptosis reduced in both NBP and URMC-099 groups(P<0.05),with the decrease of p-MLK3 and p-JNK and increase of p-ERK1/2(P<0.05).Conclusion NBP can decrease the apoptosis and promote the proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells in-duced by MPP+,which may be associated with inhibiting MLK3 signaling pathway,and regulating the downstream p-JNK and p-ERK1/2.

OBJECTIVESOrthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is an accepted therapy for selected patients with advanced liver diseases. However, the early mortality rate after OLT remains relatively high due to the poor selection of candidates with various serious conditions. The aim of this study is to assess the value of pretransplantation artificial liver support treatment in reducing the pre-operation risk factors relating to early mortality after OLT.

METHODS50 adult patients in various stages of different etiologies who underwent OLT procedures had been treated with molecular adsorbent recycling system (MARS) preoperatively. The study was designed in two parts: the first one was to evaluate the effectiveness of a single MARS therapy by using some clinical and laboratory parameters which were supposed to be therapeutical pretransplantation risk factors. The second part was to study the patients undergoing OLT by using the regression analysis on preoperation risk factors relating to early (within 30 d after OLT) mortality rate.

RESULTSAmong the 50 patients, a statistically significant improvement of the biochemical parameters was observed (pretreatment vs posttreatment). 8 patients cancelled their scheduled LTXs due to significant improvements in their clinical conditions or recovery of their failing liver functions. 8 patients died and 34 patients successfully underwent LTX. The immediate outcome (within 30 postoperative days) of these 34 patients was that 28 were kept alive and 6 died.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperation sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), level of creatinine, INR, TNFalpha, and IL-10 are the main preoperative risk factors relating to early death after an operation. MARS treatment before a transplant operation can relieve these factors significantly, hence improve survival rate of liver transplantation or even make the transplantation unnecessary.

Aged ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis ; surgery ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Liver, Artificial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Preoperative Care ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

BACKGROUNDReadmission rates after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for malignant diseases have a significant impact on survival rate. Identification of risk factors for readmission may improve discharge plans and postoperative care. Data exist on the morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing PD, but there are few reports about hospital readmissions after this procedure. Our aims were to evaluate the proportion and reasons for readmissions after PD for malignant diseases, the factors influencing readmissions, and to analyze the relationship between readmission rate and survival rate.

METHODSFour hundred and thirty-six patients, who had undergone PD for malignant diseases in our centre from October 1999 to October 2009, a 10-year period, excluding perioperative (30-day) mortality, were identified. All readmissions within 1 year following PD were analyzed with respect to timing, location, reasons for readmission and outcome. We reviewed the hospitalization and readmissions for patients undergoing PD, and compared patients requiring readmission to patients that did not require readmission.

RESULTSOne hundred and forty-five patients (33.26%) were readmitted within 1 year following PD, for further treatment or complications. In those cases, diagnoses associated with high rates of readmission included radiation and/or chemotherapy (48.96%), progression of disease (11.72%), infection (11.72%), gastrointestinal dysfunction/obstruction (6.20%), surgery-related complications (2.76%) and pain (4.14%). The proportion of T4 in readmission group was lower than no readmission group (P < 0.05). The proportion of node positive cases in readmission group was much higher than no readmission group (P < 0.01). The number of readmission for complications reduced gradually in the first three months, and reached a second peak in the sixth and seventh month. Median survival was lower for the readmission group compared with the no readmission group (21 versus 46 months, P = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONThese results may assist in both anticipating and facilitating postoperative care as well as managing patient expectations.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; adverse effects ; Patient Readmission ; statistics & numerical data ; Postoperative Complications

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the reliability and validity of musculoskeletal questionnaire.

METHODSA self-administered modified musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to investigate 12 098 workers from eight occupations, i.e. coal mining, petroleum, metallurgical, mechanical manufacturing, chemical, garment and railroad transportation industries and education. The Cronbach's α coefficient, analysis of covariance and multiple logistic regression were used to assess the reliability and validity of musculoskeletal questionnaire.

RESULTSThe consistent test between total items of Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and each factor showed that the range of Cronbach's α was 0.52 ∼ 0.92, except from vibration factor, other Cronbach's α was more than 0.7. All 55 items of Musculoskeletal Questionnaire were subjected to factor analysis, and ten latent factors were identified, which explained 55.17% of the total variance. The potentially hazardous working conditions could be categorized into seven dimensions (force, dynamic load, static load, repetitive load, climate factors, vibration exposure and environmental ergonomic factor), which consisted with the theory model. The results of covariance analysis indicated that there were significant difference among 7 dimension indices in different jobs (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe modified Musculoskeletal Questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for measuring musculoskeletal workload.

Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Humans ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Occupational Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of snail control through soil pasting mixed with niclosamide.

METHODSFour sites were selected in different epidemic areas in Sichuan province. Soil pasting mixed with niclosamide was carried on, and the dosage was 0 g/m2, 4 g/m2, 6 g/m2, 8 g/m2 and 10 g/m2 respectively. The mortality rate of snail and the density of snail were observed after 7, 15, 30, 90 and 180 days.

RESULTSThe mortality rate of snail was more than 43.3% in blank group after 30 days. The mortality rate of snail was from 75.3% to 100.0% at 4 g/m2 group after 30 days. The mortality rate of snail in 4 g/m2 group was significantly higher than that in the blank group (chi2 = 31.27, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the mortality rate of snail among all study groups (chi2 = 1.07, P > 0.05). The decrease rate of snail density was more than 90%. The mortality rate of snail was about 30% higher in Chantu group than Qutu group. The unit cost of Pasting-Mixing Drug with Soil was from 5 to 7 times of spray method, but the total cost was similar for the. two methods at the endpoint of the snail control.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of soil pasting mixed with niclosamide is good, and the dosage of 4-6 g/m2 is suggested in snail control.

Animals ; Molluscacides ; Niclosamide ; Pest Control ; Schistosomiasis ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Snails ; Soil