CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 genetic polymorphisms and uterine leiomyoma risk in Chinese women

Purpose  The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 polymorphisms with uterine leiomyoma in Chinese women. Methods  We investigated 100 women with clinically diagnosed uterine leiomyoma and 110 healthy normal subjects from Chinese women. The genetic distribution of two CYP1A1 polymorphisms at MspI, Ile462Val and four CYP1B1 polymorphisms at Arg48Gly, Ala119Ser, Leu432Val, Asp449Asp were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing method. Results  All the SNPs showed polymorphisms in Chinese women. The genotype A/G and the allele G on Ile462Val was significantly different between uterine leiomyoma patients and controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion  These results suggest that the genotype of CYP1A1 Ile462Val was associated with the increased risk of uterine leiomyomas in Chinese women. Capsule This is the first report that demonstrates the polymorphism at Ile462Val of CYP1A1 to be associated with uterine leiomyoma in Chinese women.     

The role of hyaluronic acid binding assay in choosing the fertilization method for patients undergoing IVF for unexplained infertility

Purpose  

Patients with unexplained infertility may have fertilization problems. Split fertilization (ICSI and conventional IVF on sibling oocytes) is often used to avoid poor fertilization. Our aim was to assess the ability of hyaluronic acid binding (HA-binding) assay to predict spontaneous fertilization during IVF.     

A Phase I/II Study of Topotecan in Combination with Carboplatin in Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Objective.The purpose of this study was to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of topotecan given as escalating doses combined to a fixed dosage of carboplatin in late relapsing ovarian carcinomas.Methods. Women with relapsing ovarian cancer more than 6 months after first-line treatment were eligible for the study. In the first phase of the trial, patients were allocated to escalating topotecan doses with a carboplatin fixed dose (AUC 5, according to Cockcroft's formula). If no “severe” adverse event occurred in 1 or more of the patients, the topotecan dose was increased. The starting dose of topotecan was 0.50 mg/m²/day, for 3 consecutive days, and the dose step was of 0.25 mg/m²/day, till 1.5 mg/m²/day. The study progressed then in a phase II trial.Results. A total of 39 patients entered the trial. Twenty took part in the escalating topotecan dose phase (4 per dose level, 0.50, 0.75, 1, 1.25, and 1.50 mg/m²/day) and 19 in the phase II. No severe adverse event was observed in the phase I of the trial, so the MTD was not reached. In the phase II trial topotecan was given to 1 mg/m²/day. Overall grade 3–4 neutropenia, lasting 7 days or less, was observed in 58.9% (23 patients). Thrombocytopenia occurred in 30.8% (12 patients) and grade 3 anemia in 25.6% (10 patients) of subjects. No life-threatening event occurred. Platelets or red blood cell transfusions were given in three cases (7.8%).Conclusions. This daily-times-3-day schedule of topotecan in combination with carboplatin is safe.     

Crohn’s disease,autoimmune thyroiditis,and beta-thalassemia trait in an adolescent: an unusual combination of diseases

An adolescent with complaints of fatigue, tachycardia, abdominal discomfort, and blood-stained diarrhea is presented. Clinical and laboratory evaluation revealed a microcytemic anemia with iron deficiency, beta thalassemia, and thyrotoxicosis with thyroid antibodies. Crohn’s disease was confirmed on endoscopy. A rapid normalization of clinical and laboratory parameters was observed following the initiation of therapy and further exacerbation of her illness was prevented. Although the simultaneous occurrence of Crohn’s disease, autoimmune thyroiditis, and a beta-thalassemia trait is likely to be coincidental, the combination of an autoimmune thyroid disease and Crohn’s disease is rare in pediatrics. Several issues of importance in the treatment of these conditions are discussed. Rectal blood loss associated with Crohn’s disease may lead to severe iron deficiency, especially in patients with preexistent beta-thalassemia trait, and those with thyroiditis are prone to developing hypothyroidism following treatment, requiring that they be monitored closely.     

Multimodal Dispersion of Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Size Distribution with 9 Size Measurement Methods

Purpose

Evaluation of particle size distribution (PSD) of multimodal dispersion of nanoparticles is a difficult task due to inherent limitations of size measurement methods. The present work reports the evaluation of PSD of a dispersion of poly(isobutylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles decorated with dextran known as multimodal and developed as nanomedecine.

Methods

The nine methods used were classified as batch particle i.e. Static Light Scattering (SLS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), single particle i.e. Electron Microscopy (EM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Tunable Resistive Pulse Sensing (TRPS) and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and separative particle i.e. Asymmetrical Flow Field-Flow Fractionation coupled with DLS (AsFlFFF) size measurement methods.

Results

The multimodal dispersion was identified using AFM, TRPS and NTA and results were consistent with those provided with the method based on a separation step prior to on-line size measurements. None of the light scattering batch methods could reveal the complexity of the PSD of the dispersion.

Conclusions

Difference between PSD obtained from all size measurement methods tested suggested that study of the PSD of multimodal dispersion required to analyze samples by at least one of the single size particle measurement method or a method that uses a separation step prior PSD measurement.

     

Targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in non small cell lung cancer

While PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is altered in a variety of cancers including non small cell lung cancer, abnormalities in this pathway are more common in squamous cell lung carcinoma than in adenocarcinoma of the lung. Moreover, aberrant activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is one of the mechanisms of acquired resistance to EGFR-TK inhibitors in patients with adenocarcinoma carrying EGFR activating mutations.     

Clinical observation of warm acupuncture in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy

目的：观察温针治疗糖尿病周围神经病患者的临床疗效及对胫神经和腓总神经传导速度的影响。方法：把52例符合纳入标准的患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,每组26例．两组均在基础治疗上,治疗组采用温针疗法。每日1次,每星期治疗6次,共治疗4星期。对照组肌注弥可保（甲钴胺针）500μg,每日1次,共治疗4星期。检查并记录治疗前后两组患者临床症状及胫神经、腓总神经传导速度,并进行比较。结果：治疗4星期后,治疗组总有效率为88．5％,对照组为61．5％,两组,临床疗效比较治疗组优于对照组（P〈0．05）;神经传导速度比较两组治疗后均优于治疗前,差异有统计学意5Z．（P〈0．05）;治疗后比较治疗组胫神经感觉神经传导速度及腓总神经运动传导速度均优于对照组（P〈0．05）。结论：温针疗法治疗糖尿病周围神经病具有良好的临床疗效,且可以改善神经传导速度,是治疗糖尿病周围神经病变的有效方法之一。     

Clinical observation on Governor Vessel-unblocking and brain-refreshing scalp acupuncture for cerebral palsy complicated with intellectual disabilities

Objective

To observe the clinical efficacy of Governor Vessel-unblocking and brain-refreshing scalp acupuncture for cerebral palsy (CP) complicated with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

A total of 300 CP cases aged between 1 and 5 years were randomly allocated into a treatment group (n=150) and a control group (n=150). Patients in the treatment group were treated with Governor Vessel-unblocking and brainrefreshing scalp acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training, whereas patients in the control group received rehabilitation training alone. The Beijing Gesell developmental (Gesell) scale and gross motor function measure (GMFM) scale were used to assess the motor and intellectual development before and 3 months after the treatment. In addition, the head CT/MRI examination was applied to assess the brain nerve repair before and after the treatment.

Results

After the treatment, the total effective rate in the treatment group was 78.0%, versus 42.7% in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P<0.05). As for scores of five subscales in the Gesell scale, there were significant intra-group differences in the treatment group (all P<0.05); and the scores in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group (all P<0.05). As for scores of five dimensions in GMFM scale, there were significant intra-group differences in the treatment group (all P<0.05); and the scores in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group (all P<0.05). According to the head CT/MRI findings, the total effective rate was 73.3% in the treatment group, versus 62.0% in the control group, showing a statistical significance (P<0.05).

Conclusion

When used in combination with rehabilitative training, Governor Vessel-unblocking and brain-refreshing scalp acupuncture can significantly improve the clinical efficacy for cerebral palsy complicated with intellectual disabilities. It can also improve the patients’ motor function, intelligence and language ability.

     

Observation on the efficacy of electroacupuncture plus TDP for treating 60 functional dyspepsia patients

目的:观察电针加TDP治疗功能性消化不良的疗效.方法:采用电针力TDP治疗功能性消化不良60例,并与多潘立酮治疗的60例进行疗效对比观察.结果:经过10日治疗后,治疗组治愈率为33.3%,总有效率为91.7%;对照组治愈率为13.3%,总有效率为66.7%.两组差异有非常显著意义(P＜0.01,P＜0.001).结论:电针加TDP治疗功能性消化不艮疗效较好.     

杵针结合中药熏洗治疗颈椎病的临床疗效研究（英文）

目的:观察杵针结合中药熏洗治疗颈椎病的临床效果,为颈椎病治疗提供更安全有效的治疗方法。方法:将54例颈椎病患者按就诊顺序随机分为2组,每组27例,两组患者均采用相同的中药熏蒸治疗。治疗组在中药熏洗基础上加用杵针大椎八阵穴、风府八阵穴、河车路脑户至大椎段治疗,对照组则加用常规针刺治疗。观察两组治疗前后疼痛视觉模拟量表(visual analog scale,VAS)评分及疼痛分级指数(pain rating index,PRI)积分,比较两组近期及远期临床疗效。结果:治疗结束时,两组V AS评分均较本组治疗前下降,且治疗组V AS评分低于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗结束后1个月、3个月及6个月,两组V AS评分均与本组治疗前差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗结束时,治疗组P RI感觉分及P RI总分的减少值均高于对照组,组间差异均有统计学(均P<0.01),而P RI情绪分的减少值组间无统计学差异(P>0.05)。治疗结束时治疗组总有效率为85.2%,对照组为65.4%,两组总有效率具有统计学差异(P<0.05);治疗结束6个月后随访,治疗组总有效率为92.6%,对照组为76.9%,两组总有效率差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:杵针治疗颈椎病疗效肯定且稳定。