ObjectiveTo investigate the concentration of water fluoride and the application of water defluoridation projects in Suizhou,and to provide a basis for water improvement and prevention of the disease.MethodsCross-sectional study was carried out to investigate completely the water defluoridation projects built between 1986 and 2009 in the area under Suizhou's jurisdiction; 3 source water and terminal water samples of the projects in use were collected,respectively; 1 water sample was collected,respectively in the 3 projects with out-ofcommission or discarded water sources that used to be major water supply,for detection of fluoride,chloride,total hardness,heavy metals and other indicators.ResultsA total of 21 projects were investigated,14 projects were in normal use (66.7％),7 projects were out of order and abandoned (33.3％).Of the 14 projects normally used,13projects with water fluoride concentration ≤ 1.0 mg/L(92.9％)and 1 project with water fluoride concentration higher than 1.0 mg/L(7.1％),the concentration of water fluoride in the 7 abandoned projects was higher than 1.0 mg/L(100％).Arsenic and lead levels of all the water samples were normal.There were two water samples with iron content exceeded the standard,and one total hardness of water samples exceeded the standard in the normally used 14 peripheral water sources.One chloride content exceeded the standard,one manganese content exceeded the standard,two iron content exceeded the standard and three total hardness exceeded the standard in the seven abandoned projects.ConclusionsSome defluoridation projects are stopped using and abandoned in Suizhou,and the water fluoride exceeds the standard.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathological features of patients with urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder (UCB), and analyze the association of clinicopathological characteristics with tumor recurrence and progression.

METHODSAltogether 658 UCB cases in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were collected from January 2006 to December 2010. The histopathologic materials and the clinical records were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were preformed to detect the association.

RESULTSThe mean age of the patients was 61.97 +/- 12.97 years (range, 20-90 years). Male to female ratio was about 5:1. A total of 517 cases (78.6%) were superficial at the time of diagnosis (stage Ta/T1). The mean follow-up period was 22.36 +/- 24.92 months. Twenty-five patients lacking follow-up information were excluded in calculating recurrence and progression rates, the recurrence rate was about 37.0% (234/633), and progression rate about 6.2% (39/633). Three variables (grade, tumor growth pattern, and pathological stage) were found to be significant risk factors for tumor progression in univariate and multivariate analyses (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMost of the newly diagnosed UCB cases may be superficial diseases. Grade, tumor growth pattern, and pathological stage are associated with tumor progression of UCB.

Adult ; Aged ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of polymorphism at the -238 and -308 position of the TNF-alpha promotor region on the clinical outcome of thalidomide (Thal)-based regimens for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSThe polymorphism at the -238 and -308 position of the TNF-alpha promotor region of 168 MM patients treated with Thal-based regimens were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Genotypes were tested for association with overall response by logistic regression, and survival was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTSIn TNF-alpha -238 position, 11 (6.5%) patients had GA genotype and 1 (0.6%) AA genotype. In TNF-alpha -308 position, 19 (11.3%) had GA genotype and 1 (0.6%) AA genotype. In univariate analysis, the TNF-alpha -238 GA + AA genotypes were associated with a significantly prolonged progression free survival (PFS) (P = 0.017), and a better overall survival (OS) (P = 0.150). Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that TNF-alpha -238 polymorphic status was an independent prognostic factor for prolonged PFS (P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONThe TNF-alpha -238 polymorphic status is associated with a favorable clinical outcome in MM patients treated with thalidomide-based regimen. The polymorphism status of TNF-alpha gene might be of promise for developing a more informative stratification system for MM.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Prognosis ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Thalidomide ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo develop a computer-aided mandibular repositioning system (CAMRS) and investigate its preliminary application in efficacy prediction of oral appliance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSCAMRS was mainly consisting of a step motor and a screw that was remote-controlled by a computer. This system could work with polysomnography (PSG). Fourteen OSAHS patients diagnosed by PSG were recruited. With CAMRS, six mandibular positions were titrated with PSG for every hour.

RESULTSStable mandible positioning and little sleeping disturbance were observed. Apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was improved progressively with mandibular advancement. The extent of mandibular advancement was correlated with the severity of OSAHS (r = 0.72747).

CONCLUSIONSCAMRS could reproductively and effectively reposition mandible with little sleeping disturbance. Through CAMRS, an individualized optimal mandibular position could be obtained for each OSAHS patient treated with oral appliance.

Adult ; Aged ; Computer-Aided Design ; Humans ; Male ; Mandibular Advancement ; instrumentation ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the changes of plasma levels of the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter aspartic acid (Asp), inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine (Gly) and asparagine (Asn) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODSPlasma samples were collected from 15 MDD patients (9 males and 6 females, aged 32-64 y) and 14 healthy subjects (7 males and 7 females, aged 30-65 y); and also collected from 7 MDD patients (5 males and 2 females) 2 months after antidepressant treatment. The plasma levels of amino acids were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection method.

RESULTSPlasma Asp and Gly levels were significantly lower in MDD patients than those in controls (P<0.04). There were positive correlations between plasma levels of Gly and Asp, and between Gly and Asn (P<0.005) in the control group; while in MDD patients, a significant positive correlation was found only between plasma levels of Gly and of Asp (P<0.001). MDD patients did not show significant changes in plasma Asp, Asn and Gly levels after antidepressant treatment compared to those before treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe reduced plasma Asp and Gly levels may serve as a clinical biomarker for MDD.

Adult ; Aged ; Antidepressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asparagine ; blood ; Aspartic Acid ; blood ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Glycine ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of docetaxel combined with carboplatin (TP) and epirubicin combined with cyclophosphamide sequential docetaxel (EC-T) adjuvant in the treatment of three negative breast cancer in phase III . Methods 62 cases of three negative breast cancer patients in phase III from May 2012 to October 2016 were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group, with 31 patients in each group. The control group was treated with epirubicin combined with cyclophosphamide and sequential docetaxel, and the experimental group was treated with docetaxel and carboplatin. The clinical indicators were compared and analyzed. Results There was no significant difference in the recent remission rate (77.42%) between the experimental group and the control group (74.19%). Two groups of patients with adverse reactions were restored within one month. There were 10 cases of WBC decrease in the experimental group, with the incidence rate of 32.25%. There were 18 cases of WBC decrease in the control group, the incidence rate was 58.06%, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Docetaxel combined with carboplatin and epirubicin adjuvant combined with cyclophosphamide than star sequential docetaxel in the treatment of three patients with negative breast cancer stage III were tolerated, TP occurred leukopenia and alopecia with low probability.

BACKGROUNDPoly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) plays an important role in cell survival and death. However, the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the effect of inhibition of PARP on acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at different time points in rats.

METHODSAMI was induced in rats by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. One group received 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB, a kind of PARP inhibitor) (30 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. The changes of ultramicrostructure of cardiocytes in infarction region were noted, PARP cleavage was measured by Western blotting, and expressions of protein of PARP and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) were measured by immunohistochemical staining after treatment with 3-AB for 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 1 week, 4 weeks and 8 weeks.

RESULTSFew damages to the ultramicrostructure of cardiocytes were observed after treatment with 3-AB. PARP cleavage was detected as early as 4 hours and markedly increased by 6 hours following AMI without 3-AB, but was not found until 6 hours following AMI treated with 3-AB. There were significant differences between 3-AB and AMI groups at the same time points. The expression of PARP was observed gradually increased, but that of AIF was suppressed for 6 hours after treatment of 3-AB, compared with AMI groups in positive cells at the same time points. There was significantly less cleavage of PARP and more PARP expression in 3-AB treated group compared with AMI and control groups at all matched time points.

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that 3-AB inhibits degradation of PARP, increases the expression of PARP protein, and suppresses the expression of AIF protein. Inhibition of PARP activity may protect cardiocytes in rats with AMI and reduce apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis Inducing Factor ; metabolism ; Benzamides ; pharmacokinetics ; Blotting, Western ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo identify the overall anatomical characteristics and the clinical value of the lumbar nerves under CT multiplanar reconstruction.

METHODSFifty normal subjects and 30 patients with LN diseases (51 sides) were selected, including 10 patients with lumber intervertebral disk hernia, eight patients with spinal stenosis, 5 patients with spondylolisthesis, 1 patient with tethered cord syndrome, 1 patient with lumbar scoliosis, and 5 patients with spinal trauma The 16-slice helical CT (Light Speed, GE Company) was used for scanning the lumbar vertebra with multiplanar reconstruction in Workstation (ADW4.1) with UNIX System in DICOM format. The image was set on the same slice for the overall anatomy and manifestations of the lesions.

RESULTSThe same-slice imaging showed the strip-like LN slightly lower than the surrounding muscle in density. Each LN went out of the dural sac at an acute angle. The course of the lumbar plexus and its major branches, including the obturator nerve, femoral nerve and reproductive nerve, and their relations to the adjacent structures were clearly revealed. The percentage of the segments displayed was well associated with the reconstruction angle, with the order being oblique coronal > outward-rotated oblique coronal > oblique sagittal > coronal > sagittal section. The major manifestations of abnormal LN included compression and displacement (50 sides, 98.0%), morphological changes (49 sides, 96.1%), adhesion (41 sides, 80.4%).

CONCLUSIONSThe CT multiplanar reconstruction is ideal for the imaging of the overall size, shape, running and tension of the LN root; it is valuable in clinical diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Lumbosacral Plexus ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine which expression mode of prothrombin time (PT) might achieve PT standardization in patients with advanced liver diseases.

METHODSPT was measured with six thromboplastins with different ISI values in 16 severe chronic hepatitis patients, 50 decompensated liver cirrhosis patients and 30 patients on oral anticoagulation therapy. The results were expressed in PT (second), PTA (%), PTR and INR.

RESULTSIn chronic hepatitis patients, the means of the six group's PTAs ranged from 24% to 34%, while their upper limits ranged from 47% to 61%. The means of the INRs ranged from 2.55 to 5.13, while their upper limits ranged from 4.65 to 12.77. Through one-way ANOVA of repeated measures, PPTA (0.489) was > PINR (0.120). In patients with liver cirrhosis, the means of the PTA in six groups ranged from 50% to 59%, while their upper limits ranged from 82% to 90%. The means of the INR ranged from 1.40 to 1.80, while their upper limits ranged from 1.97 to 3.69. Through one-way ANOVA of repeated measures, PPTA (0.102) was > PINR (0.01). In patients on oral coagulation therapy, the means of PTA ranged from 26% to 37%, while their upper limits ranged from 39% to 49%. The means of INR ranged from 2.35 to 2.66, while their upper limits ranged from 3.16 to 4.26. Through one-way ANOVA of repeated measures, PPTA (0.01) was less than PINR (0.102). The correlation between the results detected by Neoplastine and by other reagents were analyzed. They correlated well with each other when PTA was used as the expression mode of PT in patients with advanced liver disease. But in patients on oral anticoagulation therapy, when only the INR was used as the expression mode of PT, the correlation was well with each other.

CONCLUSIONThe use of INR provides inadequate standardization. Only when the PT is expressed in PTA, then it may provide a standardization mode in patients with advanced liver diseases.

Female ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; blood ; Humans ; International Normalized Ratio ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; Liver Failure ; blood ; Male ; Prothrombin Time ; standards ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVEClinical features of 30 cases of amyloidosis, a rare disease in China, were analyzed in order to improve the recognition of the disease here.

METHODS30 cases of biopsy-proven amyloidosis, admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital from July 1980 to December 2003 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS12 of the 30 cases were systemic amyloidosis. Among them 9 were primary amyloidosis, 1 secondary amyloidosis and 2 familial amyloid polyneuropathy. The other 18 cases were localized amyloidosis. Males (17) were more than females (13). In the 12 primary amyloidosis patients, kidney (75.00%), liver (58.33%), peripheral nervous system (58.33%) and heart (50.00%) were most commonly involved. Nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, hepatomegaly, limb numbness, edema and heavy albuminuria were the most common clinical manifestations. Localized amyloidosis involved only one organ, such as skin, alimentary tract and nasopharynx without evidences of a systemic disease. Excision of the localized amyloid deposits was performed in 13 cases.

CONCLUSIONSystemic amyloidosis usually involves multiple organs and systems, leading to highly variable clinical manifestations. An increase in the vigilance of the awareness of this disease among clinicians will improve the possibilities for its diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Amyloidosis ; diagnosis ; Child ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies