Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) alone or in combination for melanocytic nevus.Methods A total of 37 patients with clinically diagnosed melanocytic nevus were collected.Skin lesions were firstly examined by dermoscopy and RCM,then were resected to be subjected to histopathological examination for final diagnosis.The imaging features of melanocytic nevus were summarized.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and accuracy of different skin imaging techniques were calculated,and the consistency was analyzed between skin imaging techniques and histopathological examination.Results Based on the dermoscopic and RCM findings,2 kinds of nevus cells with different morphological features were observed in the dermis of intradermal nevus.One kind of nevus cells was characterized by a nonfusional,highly-refractive round structure in the papillary dermis under RCM,and by a brown or light brown homogenous pattern under dermoscopy,which was observed in 5 skin lesions.The other kind of nevus cells appeared as irregular,highly-refractive cell clumps in the papillary dermis under RCM,and by a cobblestone or globular pattern under dermoscopy,which was observed in 31 skin lesions.For the diagnosis of melanocytic nevus,the sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of RCM combined with dermoscopy were 91.7％,87.5％,90.9％,97.1％ and 70％ respectively,those of RCM were 86.1％,75％,84％,93.9％ and 54.5％ respectively,and those of dermoscopy were 77.8％,87.5％,75％,96.3％ and 41.2％ respectively.All the diagnostic indices of RCM combined with dermoscopy were higher than those of RCM or dermoscopy alone,except that the specificity was equal to that of dermoscopy alone.RCM showed higher sensitivity,accuracy and negative predictive value,but lower specificity and positive predictive value compared with dermoscopy.There were no significant differences in the diagnostic yield in melanocytic nevus between RCM combined with dermoscopy or RCM alone and histopathological examination (x2 =0.25,0.57,P =0.63,0.45,Kappa value =0.72,0.53,respectively).However,a significant difference in the diagnostic yield in melanocytic nevus was observed between dermoscopy and histopathological examination (x2 =5.81,P =0.012).Conclusion RCM combined with dermoscopy shows higher diagnostic accuracy for melanocytic nevus compared with RCM or dermoscopy alone.

Objective Tostudyrecentclinicalefficacyandadversereactionsofpemetrexedincombi-nationwithcisplatininthetreatmentofadvancedbreastcancer.Methods Usingenvelopesandrandomlythe patients were dividing into treatment group and control group.The treatment group with 1 8 cases of advanced breast cancer were treated with pemetrexed and cisplatin while in the control group ,23 cases advanced breast cancer patients were treated with gemcitabine and cisplatin with 21 days as a cycle.The efficacy and adverse re-actions were determined according to the WHO on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors therapy and chemotherapytoxicityevaluationcriteria.Results Tumorcontrolrateinthetreatmentgroupwas83.3%(1 5/1 8),while in the control group was 78.3%(1 8/23 ),and the difference was not statistically significant (χ2 =0.000 94,P>0.05);while the adverse reactions differenced between the treatment group and the con-trol group were statistically significant(bone marrow suppression χ2 =9.23;fatigue χ2 =4.96;nausea and vomi-tingχ2=4.98;diarrheaχ2=4.45;skinrashχ2=5.03,P<0.05).Conclusion Pemetrexedcombinedwith cisplatin in patients with advanced breast cancer has a good effect,and the adverse reaction is low.

PEG-modified magnetic Fe3O4 (Fe3O4-PEG) nanoparticles were sythesized using a solvothermal reaction and characterized with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The photothermal effect and photothermal destruction of cancer cells were evaluated. Then the doxorubicin loaded Fe3O4-PEG (DOX-Fe3O4-PEG) nanoparticles were prepared. The cytotoxicity and combined chemotherapy/photothermal therapy (PTT) effect were investigated. Uniform PEG coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles with particle size of 155 nm were obtained in the experiment. The loading and release of doxorubicin on Fe3O4-PEG were pH-dependent. The drug loading capacity in water was 21%. The results of MTT indicated a good biocompatiblity of Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles and high cytotoxicity of DOX-Fe3O4-PEG. In combined therapy experiment, photothermal therapy demonstrated unambiguously enhanced chemotherapy efficacy. In conclusion, the obtained Fe3O4-PEG nanoparticles which exhibit good photothermal effect and drug loading capacity can be used for chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. The synergetic anti-tumor activity indicates the potential for the combined application of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy in cancer treatment.
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; Ferrosoferric Oxide ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; MCF-7 Cells ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of the common Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome pattern of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) with the contents of substance p and beta endorphin in the plasma, and provide reference data for the clinical diagnosis, differentiation and treatment of CPPS by TCM.

METHODSWe observed 98 cases of CPPS, which were classified into a lower-part damp-heat invasion group (group A, n = 32), a blood stasis-induced collateral obstruction group (group B, n = 34), and a damp-heat stagnation group (group C, n = 32) according to the TCM syndrome differentiation. Another 35 normal healthy young men were enrolled as controls. We measured the contents of substance p and beta endorphin in the plasma by immunoradiometry and ELISA, and analyzed their relationship with the TCM syndrome pattern.

RESULTSThe contents of plasma substance p were significantly higher in groups A ([1135.76 +/- 166.45] pg/ml), B ([1 337.84 +/- 170.81] pg/ml), and C ([1 210.01 +/- 162.27] pg/ml) than in the control ([574.99 +/- 113.09] pg/ml) (all P < 0.01), while the contents of plasma beta endorphin in groups A ([212.70 +/- 29.49] pg/ml), B ([157.99 +/- 24.01] pg/ml), and C ([180.81 +/- 20.20] pg/ml) were remarkably lower than that in the control ([274.73 +/- 27.64] pg/ml) (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn the plasma of CPPS patients, the content of substance p is significantly elevated and that of beta endorphin markedly reduced, which suggests that they may be involved in the inflammatory reaction of CPPS. The levels of plasma substance p and beta endorphin can be used as valuable reference for the TCM classification of chronic prostatitis.

Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; adverse effects ; Pelvic Pain ; blood ; classification ; Prostatitis ; blood ; classification ; Substance P ; blood ; Syndrome ; beta-Endorphin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy difference in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome of Sev-damp-heat stagnation pattern between acupoint catgut embedding therapy and western medication.

METHODSenty cases were randomized into a catgut embedding group (40 cases) and a western medication group (30 cases) at the ratio of 4 : 3. In the catgut embedding group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied to Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Quchi (LI 11), Huiyin (CV 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongji (CV 3), Shenshu (BL 23), etc. The treatment was given once every two weeks, the treatment for 4 weeks was as one session and totally 2 sessions were required. In the western medication group, tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules 0. 2 mg, oral administration, once a day, and Indometacin sustained release tablets, 75 mg, once a day, 3 tablets each time were prescribed. The symptom score of TCM, score of NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), lecithin body number in prostatic fluid, (SAS) score of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and score of Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The efficacy was evaluated in the two groups.

RESULTS(1)The total effective rate was 91. 9% (34/37) in the catgutembedding group and was 86. 2% (25/29) in the western medication group. The efficacy in the catgutembedding group was better than that in the western medication group (P<0. 05). (2) The symptom score of TCM was all reduced significantly after treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01), and the result in the catgut embedding group was superior to the western medication group (6.42 +/-2. 81 vs 10. 99+/-3. 11 ,P<0. 01). (3) Lecithin body number was increased apparently in the two groups after treatment (both P<0.01), and the result in the catgut-embedding group was superior to the western medicine group (33.56+/-5.88 vs 29. 78+/-7. 06,P<0. 05). (4) Total score of NIH-CPSI, score of pain, score of SAS and score of SDS were all improved apparently after treatment in the two groups (all P<0. 01), and the results in the catgut embedding group were superior to the western medication group (P<0. 01, P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy achieves the superior efficacy on chronic pelvic pain syndrome of damp-heat stagnation pattern as compared with conventional western medicine. This therapy relieves clinical symptoms, improves the states of anxiety and depression and increases lecithin body number obviously.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Pain ; therapy ; Prostatitis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of testosterone undecanoate (TU) in the treatment of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) by meta-analysis.

METHODSWe searched Pubmed (until April 1, 2014), Embase (until March 28, 2014), Cochrane Library (until April 17, 2014), CBM (from January 1, 2001 to February 2, 2014), CNKI (from January 1, 2001 to February 2, 2014), Wanfang Database (from January 1, 2000 to February 2, 2014), and VIP Database (from January 1, 2000 to Febru ary 2, 2014) for randomized controlled trials of TU for the treatment of LOH. We evaluated the quality of the identified literature and performed meta-analysis on the included studies using the Rveman5. 2 software.

RESULTSTotally, 14 studies were included after screening, which involved 1 686 cases. Compared with the placebo and blank control groups, TU treatment significantly increased the levels of serum total testosterone (SMD = 6.22, 95% CI 3.99 to 8.45, P < 0.05) and serum free testosterone (SMD = 4.35, 95% CI 1.86 to 6. 85, P < 0.05) but decreased the contents of luteinizing hormone (WMD = -2.23, 95% CI -4.03 to -0.42, P < 0.05), sex hormone binding globulin (WMD = 2.00, 95% CI 1.38 to 2.63, P < 0.05). TU also remarkably reduced the scores of Partial Androgen Deficiency of the Aging Males (WMD = -9.49, 95% CI -12.96 to -6.03, P < 0.05) and Aging Males Symptoms rating scale (WMD = -2.76, 95% CI -4.85 to -0.66, P <0.05) but increased the hemoglobin level (SMD = 2.35, 95% CI 0.29 to 4.41, P < 0.05) and packed-cell volume (SMD = 4.35, 95% CI 1.36 to 7.33, P < 0.05). However, no significant changes were shown in aspertate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, prostate-specific antigen, or prostate volume after TU treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTU could significantly increase the serum testosterone level and improve the clinical symptoms of LOH patients without inducing serious adverse reactions. However, due to the limited number and relatively low quality of the included studies, the above conclusion could be cautiously applied to clinical practice.

Androgens ; therapeutic use ; Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; blood ; drug therapy ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the relationship between parvovirus B19 infection and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods Sera from 51 patients with SLE and 20 normal controls were exam- ined for IgG and IgM antibodies against parvovirus BI9 by ELISA(produced by IBL Hamburg Company, Germany).Results Anti-Bl9 antibodies were found more frequently in sera from SLE patients than in normal controls,IgM and [gG antibodies were detected in 11(17.65%)and 9(21.57%)of 51 SLE pa- tients respectively.It was observed that the SLEDAI scores were higher in patients with B19 IgM positive group than those of the negative group(P＜0.05).The sera levels of ALT/AST were elevated more frequently in patients with BI9 IgM positive group than in negative group(P＜0.05).However,there was no association between the presence of anti-IgM and clinical manifestations in patients with SLE(P＞0.05).Five SLE pa- tients with positive B19 IgM were followed up for 2 years.SLEDA1 scores of these patients were markedly decreased(P＜0.05),but the levels of auto-antibodis(ANA,dsDNA)didn't change(P＞0.05).And the levels of ALT/AST decreased as usual.Conclusions It is suggested that parvovirus B19 infection may ex- acerbate the onset of SLE,but we eould not find a correlation between parvovirus B19 infection and prog- nosis of the disease.

Objective To investigate the effect of recombinant adenovirus mediatied human endostatin (rAD-GFP-ES)on rats with collagen typeⅡinduced arthritis(CIA),and explore the mechanism of inflamma- tion and cytokines inhibition on rats CIA.Methods The rAD-GFP-ES was amplified and purified.The model of rat CIA was induced by intradermal injection of typeⅡcollagen combined with complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA). On the second day after the injection,the therapeutic administration of rAD-GFP-ES(1?10~(11)pfu?kg~(-1)?week~(-1)?4 weeks)were performed to the rats.The mean arthritis index(AI)was scored every week since then.The relative concentrations of ES,IL-I?,TNF-?in sera collected at the fourth week were evaluated by western blotting. Results①The titer of the purified rAD-GFP-ES and rAD-GFP was 6.6?10~(12)pfu/ml and 4.8?10~(12)pfu/ml,re- spectively(A_(260nm)/A_(280nm)＞1.3).②The concentration of ES in sera of the group treated with rAD-GFP-ES was 2.4-lold higher compared to the normal group.③The mean arthritis index of the group treated with rAD-GFP- ES was much lower than that of the model group.The administration of rAD-GFP-ES could significantly de- creas the production of IL-1?and TNF-?in sera.Conclusions①The rAD-GFP-ES is efficiently expressed in vivo.②The rAD-GFP-ES has an inhibitory effect on the arthritis index of rat CIA.③IL-1?and TNF-?are involved in the pathogenesis of RA.The rAD-GFP-ES has an inhibitory effect on the expression of IL-1?and TNF-?in rat CIA.

OBJECTIVETo observe the analgesic effects of single-and combined-laser irradiation with low-intensity applied at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in rats, and their relation to degranulation of mast cells.

METHODSSixty-six SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group (Group NC), model control group (Group MC), sham irradiation group (Group SI), 10.6 microm laser irradiation group (Group 10.6 microm LI), 650 nm laser irradiation group (Group 650 nm LI) and combined (10.6 microm + 650 nm) laser irradiation group (Group CLI). Complete Freund's Adjuvant (0.05 mL) was injected into the left ankle joints of all the rats except those in Group NC to cause acute adjuvant-induced arthritis. In treatment, laser irradiation was applied at "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 30 minutes in all the rats except those in Group NC and Group MC. The paw withdrawal latency (PWL) to radian heat was used to compare analgesic effects among the groups. By means of toluidine blue, dyed slices of local tissues of "Zusanli" (ST 36) were used to observe changes of mast cell degranulation before and after laser irradiation.

RESULTSThe pain thresholds to irradiation of the rats in Group 650 nm LI and Group CLI were significantly higher than those in Group MC and Group SI (P < 0.01), and the mast cell degranulation rate in Group 650 nm LI and Group CLI were also significantly higher than that in Group MC and Group SI (P < 0.001). The pain threshold and mast cell degranulation rate in Group 10. 6 microm LI were not significantly different from those in Group MC and Group SI. There was a linear correlation between mast cell degranulation rate and PWL with 0. 737 in coefficient (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSingle 650 nm laser and combined 650 nm + 10.6 microm laser with low intensity irradiated at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in acute adjuvant rats can provide remarkable analgesic effects, and there was a positive correlation between mast cell degranulation rate and analgesic effects, which plays an important part in laser irradiation-induced analgesia.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; methods ; Acute Disease ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Cell Degranulation ; radiation effects ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Freund's Adjuvant ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; methods ; Male ; Mast Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Pain Measurement ; Pain Threshold ; radiation effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Infrared radiation temperature and characteristics of infrared spectrum of meridians and acupoints are summarized in this article. The infrared radiant track along the running course of meridians might be a ubiquitous phenomenon of the vital activity. The high temperature bands below the meridian lines at the cuticular layer are often taken as the manifestation of the tract. It could be induced by various stimulations on acupoints with warm-needling as the best causative method. High temperature and low resistance are considered as 2 features of the acupoint zone. The adenosine-triphosphate energy metabolism of the acupoint zone is higher than the non-point zone, which indicates that essential physiological and pathological information are carried by infrared radiation temperature of acupoint and infrared spectrum of acupoint. However, it is realized that study on characteristics of infrared radiation only is far from enough to reveal the essence of meridians and acupoints. And much still remains to be done in strengthening basic studies of characteristics of infrared radiation, structure pattern of meridians and acupoints as well as volt-ampere characteristics.
Acupuncture Points ; Energy Metabolism ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Infrared Rays ; Meridians ; Physiological Phenomena ; radiation effects ; Radiation