Research on genetic model of keratoconus / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To explore the effect of genetic factors on the pathogenesis of keratoconus and its genetic model.METHODS: Genetic epidemiological methods were used to investigate the prevalence of keratoconus in 280 first-degree relatives of 100 patients with keratoconus who attended Henan Eye Hospital between July 2020 and April 2023. The heritability was estimated by Falconer regression method. The general genetic model was calculated using Penrose method, and the genetic model was confirmed by Falconer formula, Edwards approximation formula and the projection formula of San-Duo Jiang's threshold model theory.RESULTS: The results showed that there were 16(5.714%)first-degree relatives of keratoconus probands suffering from keratoconus, and the heritability of keratoconus was(86.100±7.400)%. The S/q score calculated by the Penrose method was 35.348, which was near to 1/(q)1/2, suggesting that the genetic model of keratoconus might be polygenic inheritance. The expected prevalence in first-degree relatives of keratoconus patients by Falconer formula, Edwards approximation formula and the projection formula of San-Duo Jiang's threshold model theory were 5.900%, 7.714% and 5.700%, respectively, which showed no significant differences from the actual prevalence(5.714%), suggesting that keratoconus was a polygenetic disease.CONCLUSION:Genetic factors might play an important role in the pathogenesis of keratoconus, and keratoconus is a polygenetic disease.

Thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin plus radiofrequency ablation increased tumor destruction and improved survival in patients with medium and large hepatocellular carcinoma: A randomized, double-blinded, dummy-controlled clinical trial in a single center

Background: Lyso-thermosensitive liposomal doxorubicin (LTLD, ThermoDox) consists of doxorubicin encapsulated contained within a heat-sensitive liposome. Aims and Objectives: We sought to evaluate whether the use of combined radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and LTLD would result in larger coagulation volume and longer overall survival (OS) compared with the use of RFA alone in patients with 3–7 cm unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Between 2010 and 2012, 22 HCC patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatments in our center: (1) ultrasound-guided percutaneous RFA plus intravenous (IV) infusion of LTLD (combination, n = 11) or (2) RFA plus IV dummy (RFA, n = 11). Four patients withdrew from the study, and the remaining 18 patients entered the final analysis. There were 14 male and 4 female patients with an average age of 61.1 ± 9.3 years (range: 40–73 years). The average tumor size was 4.2 ± 1.0 cm (range: 3.1–6.1 cm). One-month enhanced computed tomography was used to evaluate the ablation efficacy and coagulation volume after RFA. Regular follow-up after RFA was performed to assess toxicity, local response rates, and OS rates. Results: A major complication (empyema) occurred in one case in the combination group. Combination treatment region did not induce any additional toxicity beyond doxorubicin. The primary ablation success rate was 93.3% (14/15 tumors) in the combination group and 77.8% (7/9 tumors) in the RFA group (P = 0.308). The difference in coagulation volume between pre- and post-RFA in the combination group was significantly larger than that of the RFA group (105.7 ± 73.8 cm 3 vs. 37.3 ± 8.5 cm 3, P = 0.013). The follow-up period ranged from 11 to 80 months (average: 49.1 ± 24.8 months). The local progression rate was 6.7% (1/15 tumors) in the combination group and 22.2% (2/9 tumors) in the RFA group. The mean OS for the combination group was 68.5 ± 7.2 months, which was significantly greater compared with the RFA group (46.0 ± 10.6 months, P = 0.045). Conclusions: RFA with heat target delivery chemotherapy facilitated better tumor coagulation necrosis without additional toxicity. This combined treatment may improve the clinical efficacy of RFA or free doxorubicin and prolong survival in patients with medium to large HCC

A review on methods for offline removing of artifacts in electroencephalography induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation / 生物医学工程学杂志

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with electroencephalography(EEG) has become an important tool in brain research. However, it is difficult to remove the large artifacts in EEG signals caused by the online TMS intervention. In this paper, we summed up various types of artifacts. After introducing a variety of online methods, the paper emphasized on offline approaches, such as subtraction, principal component analysis and independent component analysis, which can remove or minimize TMS-induced artifacts according to their different characteristics. Although these approaches can deal with most of the artifacts induced by TMS, the removal of large artifacts still needs to be improved. This paper systematically summarizes the effective methods for artifacts removal in TMS-EEG studies. It is a good reference for TMS-EEG researchers while choosing the suitable artifacts removal methods.

Research progress of TNKS as drug target / 中国药理学通报

TNKSs are members of poly ( ADPribose) polymera-ses, which are different from other members of the PARP family with two unique structures: SAM domain and ankyrin repeat re-gion. TNKS participates in a variety of cellular function regula-tion, including telomere’ s dynamic balance, Wnt signaling pathways, glucose metabolism and spindle formation during mi-tosis. TNKS, as a very attractive drug target, regulates the sta-bility of target proteins via poly ( ADP-ribosylation). In recent years, the significant progress has been made for PARP inhibi-tors in cancer treatment. Multiple PARP inhibitors have entered different clinical evaluation stages. AstraZeneca's Olaparib, Clo-vis's Rucaparib, Merck's Niraparib come into existence in the market. This paper summarizes the recent studies of TNKS and its related inhibitors.

Simplified MELD Score Accurately Classifies HBV-related Cirrhotic Patients with Acute Decompensation into Different Short-term Prognostic Groups / 胃肠病学

Background:For patients with liver cirrhosis and acute decompensation(AD),it is of great clinical importance to predict short-term mortality at admission. It has been reported that CLIF-C OF,MELD and MELD-Na score can accurately predict the short-term mortality,but all these scoring systems are complicated and have limits in their application. Aims:To define a simple and objective scoring system -- simplified MELD score for short-term mortality prediction in HBV-related cirrhotic patients with AD. Methods:A total of 890 consecutive HBV-related cirrhotic patients with AD hospitalized during Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2010 at Shanghai Ren Ji Hospital were enrolled retrospectively. Clinical data and patients’outcome were collected,and simplified MELD score was calculated by using total bilirubin,international normalized ratio and creatinine values at admission. Patients were classified into different prognostic groups according to their 28-day mortalities and simplified MELD score. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the 1-year accumulate survival rate,and ROC curve was used to evaluate the performance of different scoring systems in predicting 28-day mortality. Results:Simplified MELD score at admission could classify HBV-related cirrhotic patients with AD into low,moderate and high 28-day mortality groups and different long-term prognostic groups;the score of low,moderate and high 28-day mortality group was 0-2,3 and 4-6,respectively,and the corresponding mortality was 5. 5% ,19. 8% and 48. 6% ,respectively. Simplified MELD score had the same good performance as compared with the CLIF-C OF,MELD and MELD-Na scores in predicting 28-day mortality,the area under ROC curve was 0. 828,0. 831,0. 828 and 0. 830,respectively. Conclusions:Simplified MELD score can accurately classify HBV-related cirrhotic patients with AD into low,moderate and high 28-day mortality groups at admission. It is convenient for using in clinical practice.

Establishment of Model of Dynamic Change of Immune Status of ACLF Induced by ConA Repeated Administration in Mice / 胃肠病学

Background:Acute-on-chronic liver failure( ACLF)is a commonly seen liver failure in China,and lacking an animal model that can effectively simulate the dynamic change of immune status of ACLF. Aims:To establish an animal model that can simulate dynamic change of immune status of ACLF by repeated administration of concanavalin A(ConA). Methods:Mice were randomly divided into normal control group and ConA repeated administration group. Mice in ConA repeated administration group were injected with ConA 15 mg/ kg through retrobulbar angular vein every 48 hours for 5 times,and mice in control group were injected with same volume of 0. 9% NaCl solution. Serum levels of IL-6,IL-10,IL- 12,TNF-α,IFN-γ,MCP-1 in peripheral blood were assessed by CBA assay,and the ratio of IL-10/ TNF-α was calculated. The expression of HLA-DR,number and proportion of CD4+ T cells and the expression of PD-1 of monocytes in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Results:Peripheral blood cytokines changed from predominated proinflammatory cytokines into predominated anti-inflammatory cytokines with the increasing in time of administration in ConA repeated administration group. Compared with control group,HLA-DR expression of monocytes in peripheral blood was significantly decreased(P <0. 05),number and proportion of CD4+ T cells were significantly decreased(P <0. 05), and PD-1 expression was significantly increased( P < 0. 05)in ConA repeated administration group. Conclusions:An animal model of ACLF immune status from systemic inflammatory response syndrome( SIRS) to compensatory antiinflammatory response syndrome(CARS)induced by repeated ConA stimulation is successfully established.

Remote monitoring of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: a Southeast Asian, single-centre pilot study

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Remote monitoring of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) has been shown to improve patient safety and reduce in-office visits. We report our experience with remote monitoring via the Medtronic CareLink(®) network.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients were followed up for six months with scheduled monthly remote monitoring transmissions in addition to routine in-office checks. The efficacy of remote monitoring was evaluated by recording compliance to transmissions, number of device alerts requiring intervention and time from transmission to review. Questionnaires were administered to evaluate the experiences of patients, physicians and medical technicians.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 57 patients were enrolled; 16 (28.1%) had permanent pacemakers, 34 (59.6%) had implantable cardioverter defibrillators and 7 (12.3%) had cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillators. Overall, of 334 remote transmissions scheduled, 73.7% were on time, 14.5% were overdue and 11.8% were missed. 84.6% of wireless transmissions were on time, compared to 53.8% of non-wireless transmissions. Among all transmissions, 4.4% contained alerts for which physicians were informed and only 1.8% required intervention. 98.6% of remote transmissions were reviewed by the second working day. 73.2% of patients preferred remote monitoring. Physicians agreed that remote transmissions provided information equivalent to in-office checks 97.1% of the time. 77.8% of medical technicians felt that remote monitoring would help the hospital improve patient management. No adverse events were reported.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Remote monitoring of CIED is safe and feasible. It has possible benefits to patient safety through earlier detection of arrhythmias or device malfunction, permitting earlier intervention. Wireless remote monitoring, in particular, may improve compliance to device monitoring. Patients may prefer remote monitoring due to possible improvements in quality of life.</p>

Progress on establishment of animal model of osteoarthritis by intra-articular injection / 中国骨伤

Osteoarthritis (Osteoarthritis, OA) is a common clinical degenerative joint disease with increased incidence rate in recent years. Animal experiment is one of the important ways to explore pathogenesis and treatment of OA, while induced animal model is the most important part in animal experiment. Intra-articular injection of drugs is a classical method for establishing animal model of OA. Choose of animal should follows the principle of correlation, appropriateness and practicability, injections should perform in accordance with experimental purposes and subject, detections means and evaluation methods also should corresponding to experimental reality. The gold standard of OA animal model and intra-articular injections has not build, need further study.

Determination of equilibrium solubility and n-octanol/water partition coefficient of pulchinenosiden D by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the equilibrium solubility of pulchinenosiden D in different solvents and its n-octanol/water partition coefficients.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Combining shaking flask method and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect the n-octanol/water partition coefficients of pulchinenosiden D, the equilibrium solubility of pulchinenosiden D in six organic solvents and different pH buffer solution were determined by HPLC analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>n-Octanol/water partition coefficients of pulchinenosiden D in different pH were greater than zero, the equilibrium solubility of pulchinenosiden D was increased with increase the pH of the buffer solution. The maximum equilibrium solubility of pulchinenosiden D was 255.89 g x L(-1) in methanol, and minimum equilibrium solubility of pulchinenosiden D was 0.20 g x L(-1) in acetonitrile.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Under gastrointestinal physiological conditions, pulchinenosiden D exists in molecular state and it has good absorption but poor water-solubility, so increasing the dissolution rate of pulchinenosiden D may enhance its bioavailability.</p>

Soft tissue changes observed through musculoskeletal ultrasound in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with needle-knife / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study soft tissue changes observed through musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with needle-knife, so as to provide MSUS basis for needle-knife in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty patients with knee osteoarthritis treated in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from December 2011 to December 2012 were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the patients were treated with needle-knife release method. The VAS scores and knee joint circumference were recorded before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment. The changes of knee joint hydrops articuli and joint synovial thickness were measured through MSUS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The knee pain index was 6.850 +/- 1.417 before treatment and 2.790 +/- 1.299 after treatment;the index after treatment was lower than that of before treatment. The knee joint circumference was 407.320 +/- 45.151 mm before treatment and 391.240 +/- 41.129 mm after treatment; the knee joint circumference decreased after treatment. The amount of hydrops articuli observed by musculoskeletal ultrasound showed that 47 knees were cured, 19 knees improved and 2 knees failed. The synovial membrane thickness: 43 knees cured, 17 knees improved and 8 knees failed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The hydrops articuli and synovial thickness of knee joint of patients with knee osteoarthritis observed under the MSUS is consistent with the main symptoms and signs, which suggests that MSUS observation on soft tissue changes before and after needle knife in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with high reliability.</p>

Analysis of X-rays of cervical imbalances syndrome before and after the treatment of osteopathy and traction intervention in 187 youth cases / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe X-ray features of before and after treatment of cervical imbalance syndrome with osteopathy and traction intervention in youth patients, then to investigate the clinical effect of the treatment of the cervical imbalances syndrome in youth by osteopathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From September 2007 to December 2010, one hundred and eighty-seven students of 19 to 22 years (means 21 years) with neck pain as the main symptom in Beijing university of Chinese medicine were selected and divide them into osteopathy group and traction groups randomly. In osteopathy group, there were 94 patients including 40 males and 54 females; in traction group, there were 93 patients including 42 males and 51 females. The treatment of osteopathy group lasted for 3 weeks,three times per week; traction group by traction treatment three weeks,three times a week, too. X-ray before treatment and 3 weeks after treatment were collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The osteopathy group:94 cases, before treatment, abnormal curvature in 57 cases, spinous position change in 45 cases and angular displacement in 44 cases, vertebral sliding in 15 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 70 cases,stretch change in 47 cases; after treatment, abnormal curvature in 35 cases, spinous position change in 24 cases and angular displacement in 18 cases, vertebral sliding in 3 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 41 cases, extension change in 33 cases; X-Ray measurement results: cervical curvature improved from (7.070 +/- 4.629) degrees before treatment to (7.660 +/- 4.156) degrees after treatment, angular displacement improved from (13.790 +/- 2.590) degrees before treatment to (11.050 +/- 2.560) degrees after treatment; vertebral sliding improved from (3.770 +/- 0.350) mm before treatment to (3.160 +/- 0.485) mm after treatment. The change of angular displacement and vertebral sliding were so significant before and after treatment in this group, there were statistical defferences between before and after the treatment (P < 0.01) in osteopathy group. The traction group: 93 cases, before treatment,abnormal curvature in 60 cases, spinous position change in 39 cases and angular displacement in 39 cases, vertebral sliding in 15 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 70 cases, stretch in 47 cases; after treatment,abnormal curvature in 50 cases, spinous position change in 29 cases and angular displacement in 17 cases; vertebral sliding in 3 cases, Ruth Jackson line intersect proneness change in 41 cases, stretch in 33 cases; X-Ray measurement results: cervical curvature improved from (5.590 +/- 4.639) degrees before treatment to (5.990 +/- 4.330) degrees after treatment, angular displacement improved from (13.360 +/- 2.064) degrees before treatment to (11.210 +/- 1.872) degrees after treatment; vertebral sliding improved from (3.790 +/- 0.339) mm before treatment to (3.480 +/- 0.332) mm after treatment. The change of angular displacement and vertebral sliding were also so significant in traction group before and after treatment, there were statistical defferences between before and after the treatment (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(1) Pathological changes can be called youth cervical imbalance syndrome. (2) Stress points, angular displacement, cervical vertebral slip, curvature straightened, spinous position change are main X-ray performances. (3) Both osteopathy and traction intervention on are efficient in youth neck pain. (4) Youths cervical vertebra imbalance is early but reversible performance.</p>

Ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor of tongue.

Ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor (ECMT) is a rare entity of the dorsal tongue first described in 1995. Herein, we report a rare case of lingual ECMT in a 41-year-old man. Patient presented with an asymptomatic, small nodule (0.5 cm in diameter) in the anterior tongue. The pathological findings showed uni-lobular proliferation of fusiform cells, arranged in net-like sheets or swirls, in a chondromyxoid background. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for S-100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but negative for epithelial markers. Familiarity with this entity helps pathologists make a correct diagnosis.

Multiple linear regression analysis of X-ray measurement and WOMAC scores of knee osteoarthritis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To perform Multiple Linear Regression analysis of X-ray measurement and WOMAC scores of knee osteoarthritis, and to analyze their relationship with clinical and biomechanical concepts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2011 to July 2011, 140 patients (250 knees) were reviewed, including 132 knees in the left and 118 knees in the right; ranging in age from 40 to 71 years, with an average of 54.68 years. The MB-RULER measurement software was applied to measure femoral angle, tibial angle, femorotibial angle, joint gap angle from antero-posterir and lateral position of X-rays. The WOMAC scores were also collected. Then multiple regression equations was applied for the linear regression analysis of correlation between the X-ray measurement and WOMAC scores.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was statistical significance in the regression equation of AP X-rays value and WOMAC scores (P<0.05), while there was no statistical significance in the regression equation of lateral X-ray value and WOMAC scores (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>1) X-ray measurement of knee joint can reflect the WOMAC scores to a certain extent. 2) It is necessary to measure the X-ray mechanical axis of knee, which is important for diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis. 3) The correlation between tibial angle,joint gap angle on antero-posterior X-ray and WOMAC scores is significant, which can be used to assess the functional recovery of patients before and after treatment.</p>

The clinical application of infrared imaging technology in teenagers with cervicodynia / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the temperature distribution of both sides of shoulder, provide objective reference for the application thermoview in the diagnosis of cervicodynia in teenagers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five adolescents with cervicodynias from March 2009 to December 2009 were collected. There were 23 males and 22 females, with an average age of 21 years (ranged from 19 to 22 years). The course of disease ranged from 2 to 20 weeks (averaged 13 weeks). C7 horizontal line were used to divide the back into the neck area and shoulders area, and the midline to subdivide the chosen area into left and right area. Thermal infrared imaging was used to observe the temperature both sides of neck and shoulders, the data was analyzed by the computer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The temperature of shoulder was higher than neck. There were significant differences in the highest and average temperature both of the left and right side of neck and shoulder (P < 0.05), but no difference in the lowest temperature both of left and right side of neck.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The thermal infrared imaging is important for diagnosing cervical imbalance syndrome, finding the sign of abnormal muscle metabolism of shoulder and providing the basis for prevention.</p>

Efficacy and feasibility of radiofrequency ablation for decompensated cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Most HCC patients with decompensation of liver function lost the chance of surgical and/or interventional treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility and outcome of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with poor liver function (Child-Pugh class C), who are not suitable for surgery or hepatic artery chemo-embolization.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirteen HCC patients (the number of tumors was 17) with liver function of Child-Pugh C (scores: 10.2 +/- 0.4) were included in the study. Among the patients, 8 were male and 5 were female with the average age of (61.6 +/- 10.9) years old. The average size of HCC was (3.8 +/- 1.0) cm. Two patients were recurrent HCC and 30.8% of the patients had multiple tumors (2 - 3 tumors). All the patients were treated with RFA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 22 RFA sessions (1 - 4 sessions per patient) in all, average ablations per tumor at first session was 3.1. One week after RFA, the liver enzymes elevated in 9 patients (69.2%), in 7 of them, the liver enzyme returned to pre-RFA level in 1 - 3 months. One month after RFA, the Child-Pugh grading was 10.3 +/- 0.8 (Child-Pugh C), while that of pre-RFA was 10.2 +/- 0.4 (Child-Pugh C), with no significant difference. Computer tomography (CT) one month after RFA showed that the tumor necrosis rate was 88.2% (15/17). Five patients had 2 - 4 repeated RFA due to HCC recurrence. During the follow-up of 2- 69 months in this group, survival rate of one year was 53.8%, two years was 30.8%, and three year was 15.4%. The incidence of RFA-related complications was 13.6% (3/22 sessions), including 1 case of GI hemorrhage and 1 sub-capsular hemorrhage of the liver. One patient with HCC over 5 cm who had fever and liver abscess after RFA, and was dead 2 months later due to liver function failure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Minimal invasive RFA provides possible treatment modality for HCC patients with poor liver function, who are not candidates for surgical and/or interventional therapy. For large HCC, due to the required extended treatment region, special attention should be paid to the possibility of acute liver failure.</p>

Distribution Characteristics and Assessment of Heavy Metals in City Park Soils in Pudong,Shanghai / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To analyze the concentrations and sources of heavy metals in the soils in city parks,so as to improve the city ecological environment quality and protect the health of people.Methods In December 2007,the distribution characteristics and concentrations of heavy metals(Hg,Cd,Pb,Cu,Zn,Ni,Cr,As)were investigated by ICP-AES and mercury analyzer after the soil samples were collected from six urban parks in Pudong,Shanghai.Results The results showed that the ranges of concentration were 21.08-69.31 mg/kg for Cu,41.87-91.71 mg/kg for Pb,104.65-213.83 mg/kg for Zn,84.63-894.28 mg/kg for Cr,0.15-0.26 mg/kg for Cd,19.14-25.32 mg/kg for As,0.02-0.55 mg/kg for Hg,39.30-454.36 mg/kg for Ni,which indicated that all heavy metals,but Cd had been accumulated in varying degree compared with the soil background contents of metal elements in Shanghai. Conclusion Based on the assessment with the single contamination index,Ni and Cr is relatively in a high level of the pollution in Park 1,while the other heavy metals are in a lower risk.According to the comprehensive contamination indexes,the heavy metals pollution in Park 1 belongs to a high grade,while the other parks are in little pollution level.

Evaluation of the ultrasonographic features of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the ultrasonographic features of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients, and to evaluate the accuracy of these features by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ultrasonography was carried out in 113 patients (mean age 56.5 yr, range 29 - 77 yr). The ultrasonographic features of the primary tumor and the axillary lymph node were observed. Univariate analysis was performed by Chi-squared test and Fisher exact test, and multivariate analysis to determine independent significant individual variables by multiple logistic regression analysis. ROC curve analysis was done to determine the sensitivity and specificity of individual and combined ultrasonographic features in distinguishing metastatic lymph node from the normal one.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The primary tumor size, abundance of blood supply in the primary tumor, longitudinal-transverse diameter ratio, cortex-hilum thickness ratio (on the longitudinal section), abnormal cortex thickness, distribution of intra-nodal vascularity of axillary lymph nodes were found to be statistically significant factors by univariate analysis. The primary tumor size, longitudinal-transverse ratio and cortex-hilum thickness ratio of lymph node were proved to be significant independent predictors of axillary lymph node metastasis by logistic regression analysis. Through ROC analysis, the combination of these independent ultrasonographic feature predictors was found to contribute significantly in differentiating metastatic lymph node from the normal with a sensitivity of 88.6% and specificity of 84.5%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Axillary ultrasonography is helpful in staging the axillary lymph node in breast cancer patient. The primary tumor size, longitudinal-transverse diameter ratio and cortex-hilum thickness ratio of lymph node are the main features to determine whether metastatic involvement is present or not.</p>

Clinical study of feiyanqing rectum condensed liquid in treating 36 cases of children syncytial viral pneumonia / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Feiyangqin Rectum Condensed Liquid (FRCL) in treating children syncytial viral pneumonia. Methods Seventy-two patients were randomly divided into two groups, the 36 patients in the treated group were treated with FRCL, and the other 36 patients in the control group simply treated with Western medicine. Efficacy of treatment on clinical condition and some immune function (IgA, IgG, CD3, CD4) were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the treated group, 28 patients were cured (77.8%), treatment was markedly effective in 4 patients (11.1%), effective in 2 (5.5%) and ineffective in 2 (5.6%), with the total effective rate of 94.4%. The corresponding number in the control group was 20 (55.6%), 7 (19.4%), 6 (16.7%), 3 (8.3%) and 91.7%, respectively. The cure rate in the treated group was obviously superior to that in the control group (P < 0.05). FRCL could improve serum IgA, IgG, CD3, CD4, and CD4/CD8, lower serum IgE, these indexes in the treated group were significantly different to those in the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FRCL had the action in treating children syncytial viral pneumonia without any adverse reaction, one of its mechanisms might be related to its regulation on immune function.</p>

Radiofrequency ablation of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the efficiency and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (RHCC) after hepatectomy and to investigate efficacy of RFA for patients with early and late phase recurrence, separately, setting 1 year as the cut-off between the early and late phases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 42 patients with 77 RHCC and a history of hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in our department and entered this study (RHCC group). The average diameter of RHCC was (3.8 +/- 1.4) cm (range, 1.5-6.6 cm). 21 of the 42 RHCC patients had Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis 19, class B and two, class C cirrhosis. The average interval between initial surgery and the diagnosis of recurrence was 22.8 months (range, 1-96 month). 42 RHCC patients were divided into two groups as early recurrence group including 20 patients with 40 RHCC, and late recurrence group including the other 22 patients with 37 RHCC according to the recurrence interval. During the same period 148 patients with 217 primary HCC were also treated by RF ablation and regarded as primary HCC group. The average diameter of primary HCC was (4.0 +/- 1.4) cm (range, 1.2-7.0 cm). Regular follow-up with enhanced CT was performed to evaluate the treatment results. Ablation was considered a success if no contrast enhancement was detected in the treated area on 1 month CT scans.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ablation success rate, local recurrence rate, new tumor incidence and mean survival in RHCC group were 90.5%, 14.3%, 38.1% and (28.0 +/- 3.5) months, respectively, which were similar to the corresponding results of 87.2%, 16.2%, 37.8% and (39.0 +/- 2.1) month in primary HCC group. However, when further comparison was performed between early recurrence group, late recurrence group and primary HCC group, there were some significant differences. The incidence of new tumors in early recurrence group was significantly higher than that in late recurrent group (60.0% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.005); early recurrence group survived shorter than primary HCC group [(15.4 +/- 2.3) vs. (39.0 +/- 2.1) months, P < 0.005]. The survival time was similar between late recurrence group and primary HCC group. One case was found haemorrhage after RFA and recovered with conservative treatment. No major complications occurred in the remaining 41 patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>RF ablation is generally effective and safe in treating RHCC. And it's more effective in late recurrence than in early recurrence.</p>

The effect of Cpd 861 on chronic hepatitis B related fibrosis and early cirrhosis: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To further assess the clinical antifibrotic efficacy of Cpd 861 on chronic hepatitis B related fibrosis and early cirrhosis using a randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled clinical trial.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total 136 patients with HBV-related fibrosis and early cirrhosis were allocated randomly into Cpd 861 treatment group and placebo group for 24 weeks treatment. Serum fibrosis markers including hyaluronic acid (HA), IV collagen (IV-C), amino terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIIP), and laminin (LN) and serum MMP1, 2, 9, TIMP1, 2 level were determined before and after 24 weeks treatment. Liver biopsies before and after 24 weeks of treatment were assessed according to modified Scheuer and Chevallier's scoring system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total 52 patients in Cpd 861 treatment group and 50 patients in placebo-controlled group completed the 6 months. ALT level decreased from 68.2 U/L+/-68.6 U/L to 45.9 U/L+/-26.1 U/L, AST level decreased from 60.4 U/L+/-62.6 U/L to 46.7 U/L+/-39.0 U/L (P < 0.05) after 24 weeks treatment, whereas there was no significant change in placebo group (ALT: 65.3 U/L+/-48.3 U/L to 85.4 U/L+/-115.5 U/L; AST: 60.4 U/L+/-44.6 U/L to 77.6 U/L+/-89.6 U/L, P > 0.05). Serum fibrosis markers, including HA, IV-C, PIIIP, and LN were decreased after treatment, but there is no statistically significant compared with placebo group. Compared with placebo group, serum TIMP1 and MMP9 level decreased significantly (TIMP1 172.0 ng/ml+/-79.6 ng/ml vs 133.5 ng/ml+/-66.8 ng/ml; MMP9 116.1 ng/ml+/-88.2 ng/ml vs 80.4 ng/ml+/-79.0 ng/ml), and the ratio of TIMP1/MMP1 (48.3+/-96.3 vs 19.9+/-28.0) were also decreased after 861 treatment. In patients treated with Cpd 861, hepatic inflammatory score (from 14.0+/-6.0 to 10.2+/-6.1), fibrosis score (from 11.9+/-6.5 to 8.2+/-4.5), and relative content of collagen (from 18.9%+/-9.5% to 14.9%+/-8.4%) decreased significantly. In contrast, there was no significant change in placebo group. The reversal (fibrosis score decrease > or = 2) rate of fibrosis in Cpd 861 group was 38.9% in S2, 53.3% in S3 (precirrhotic) and 78.6% in S4 (cirrhosis), significantly higher than those in placebo group (14.3%, 25.0%, and 41.7%, respectively). The overall reversal rate was 52.0% in Cpd 861 group, and 20.0% in placebo group (P < 0.05). No serious adverse effects were observed during Cpd 861 treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Liver fibrosis and early cirrhosis due to HBV infection in man could be definitely reversed by herbal remedy Cpd 861.</p>