Circulating growth factor levels are associated with tumorigenesis in neurofibromatosis type 1.

PURPOSE: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is characterized by systemic development of neurofibromas. Early clinical diagnosis can be ambiguous, and genetic diagnosis can be prohibitively difficult. Dysregulation of a number of growth factors has been suggested to be a mechanism of pathogenesis. This study was performed to assess the contribution of circulating growth factors for diffuse tumorigenesis and the diagnostic value of circulating growth factor identification in serum. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The growth stimulation of neurofibroma-derived cells by serum from NF1 patients was tested, and serum growth factor levels in a cohort of NF1 patients (n = 39) between the ages of 7 and 70 years were analyzed. RESULTS: Concentrations of midkine (MK) and stem cell factor, but not epidermal growth factor, were substantially increased in serum of NF1 patients when compared with healthy controls. Within the NF1 group, MK levels increased dramatically at puberty from an average of 0.79 ng/mL in patients <18 years to 1.18 ng/mL in patients >18 years old. Stem cell factor and MK concentrations above a defined threshold in serum of NF1 patients are of diagnostic benefit for 96% of patients in the cohort tested. Furthermore, serum from NF1 patients enhanced proliferation of human neurofibroma-derived primary Schwann cells and endothelial cells substantially better than normal serum. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced circulating growth factor levels contribute to diffuse tumorigenesis in NF1 and may provide the basis for molecular diagnosis.     

Lanzoprazole promotes gastric carcinogenesis in rats with duodenogastric reflux

Background Duodenogastric reflux is known to cause an increased frequency of cancer in the glandular portion of the stomach in rats. Furthermore, it is debated whether inhibition of gastric acid secretion may promote gastric carcinogenesis. In the present study we examined the combined effect of gastroduodenal reflux and acid inhibition with respect to the development of gastric carcinoma in the rat.Methods Following the construction of a gastrojejunostomy in male Wistar rats, half of them were given the proton pump inhibitor lanzoprazole for 1 year. The rats were then killed and the pH in the stomach and gastrin in blood were measured. The stomach was examined macroscopically as well as histologically.Results Gastrin levels at autopsy were significantly increased in treated rats compared to the control group, confirming an effect of lanzoprazole on gastric acid secretion. Body weight was significantly reduced in the treated rats. Thirty of 79 rats developed gastric cancer, and they were all adenocarcinomas of the Lauren intestinal type. Gastric cancers occurred significantly more often in lanzoprazole-treated rats (50%) compared with controls (27%).Conclusion Lanzoprazole given orally enhances the carcinogenic effect of duodenogastric reflux in rats.     

心外管道全腔肺动脉吻合术的临床应用

目的 评价心外管道全腔肺动脉吻合术的临床应用价值。方法 １９９８年６月～１９９９年８月,１０例先天性心脏复杂畸形的患者接受了心外管道全腔肺动脉吻合术。包括单心室８例,均伴有完全性大动脉转位;右心室发育不良２例。均在全麻低温体外循环下手术。结果 患者全部治愈出院。术后随访６～１８个月,无晚期死亡。所有患者症状消失,无静脉压明显升高现象,超声检查显示心外管道血流通畅,无血栓形成;心电图检查显示无严重心     

Prostatosis treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine

According to differentiation of symptoms and signs, prostatosis was divided into pattern of dampness and heat in the lower energizer, pattern of qi stagnation and blood stasis, pattern of deficiency and cold in the lower abdomen, and pattern of qi deficiency and kidney deficiency. Prostatosis were treated mainly by acupuncture, plus moxibustion and Chinese medicine, and the effect was good. Author: Zhao Chang-quan (1949-), male, junior consultant doctor Translator: Huang Guo-qi     

Treatment of vascular dementia by acupuncture: A review

Related to treatment of senile dementia, 53 articles conformed the statistical demand were analyzed, finding commonly used methods are acupuncture, moxibustion, acupoint-injection, electro-acupuncture, ocular-acupuncture, scalp-acupuncture, digital-acupuncture and acupuncture plus other therapies, key treatment principle is opening orifice and invigorating brain, frequent selected acupoints are Baihui (GV 20), Zusanli (ST 36), Fengchi (GB 20), Fenglong (ST 40), Neiguan (PC 6), Shuigou (GV 26), etc; and the total effective rate is 89.62%. Author: HUANG Qin-feng (1951-), female, associate professor     

Treatment of 78 cases of shoulder periarthritis by warming-needle method

Jiansanzhen, Tianzong (SI 11), Jugu (LI 16), Jianzhen (SI 9), Binao (LI 14) and Quchi (LI 11) were given warming-needle moxibustion to treat shoulder periarthritis in 78 cases, and the result showed total effective rate was 97.4%. Author: LI Jian-wu (1955-), male, junior consultant doctor Translator: WU Xue-fei     

针灸预防"非典"

"非典型性肺炎"正严重威胁着人类的生命和健康,至今国内外对本病尚无特效的治疗方法.而我国传统特色疗法之一的针灸,在"非典"的预防中可能会发挥良好的作用.长期大量的临床和实验研究已经证实,针灸可以动员机体潜在力量,增加生理防御能力,尤其是在改善免疫功能方面,无论是对特异性的,还是非特异性的,无论是体液免疫,还是细胞免疫,针灸均有提高作用,故可有力地抵抗病毒的侵犯.