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To evaluate the efficacy of Wen-Luo-Tong Granules (WLT) local administration in the treatment of patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN) induced by chemotherapy or target therapy.This study is a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial. Seventy-eight patients with PN induced by chemotherapy or target therapy were enrolled from China-Japan Friendship Hospital between July 2019 and January 2020. They were randomly assigned to WLT (39 cases) and control groups (39 cases) using a block randomization method. The WLT group received WLT (hand and foot bath) plus oral Mecobalamin for 1 week, while the control group received placebo plus oral Mecobalamin. The primary endpoint was PN grade evaluated by the National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE). The secondary endpoints included quantitative touch-detection threshold, neuropathy symptoms, Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (QLQ-CIPN20), and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core30 (QLQ-C30).After treatment, the PN grade in the WLT group was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.00 ± 0.29 vs. 1.75 ± 0.68, P0.01). The total effective rate in the WLT group was significantly higher than that in the control group (82.05% vs. 51.28%, P0.01). Compared with the control group, the touch-detection thresholds at fingertips, neuropathy symptom score, QLQ-CIPN 20 (sensory scale, motor scale, autonomic scale, and sum score), and QLQ-C30 (physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, and global health) in the WLT group significantly improved after treatment (P0.01 or P0.05).WLT local administration was significantly effective in the treatment of patients with PN induced by chemotherapy or target therapy. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR1900023862).

BackgroundThe incidence of magnet ingestion by children has recently increased in China. Magnet ingestion is associated with an extremely high risk of gastrointestinal damage because loops of bowel can become trapped and squeezed between multiple magnets in different locations. However, the lack of imaging sensitivity makes clinical decision-making difficult.ObjectiveThis study was conducted to investigate the performance of ultrasound in diagnosing gastrointestinal magnet ingestion in children.MethodsFrom April 2017 to February 2021, all children with a history of magnet ingestion or a diagnosis of gastrointestinal magnet as shown by x-ray or ultrasound in our hospital were included as study candidates. Patients who were lost to follow-up or had known malformations of the gastrointestinal tract were excluded. Eligible patients were those with surgical or endoscopic confirmation of gastrointestinal magnet, those who passed the magnet out of the alimentary tract without assistance, and those with confirmed absence of the magnet on abdominal x-ray examination after 1 month of conservative treatment. All eligible patients' ultrasound and x-ray examination data were evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of ultrasound was calculated for diagnosing magnet ingestion, locating the magnet (stomach, small intestine, or colon), and confirming the phenomenon of wall entrapment.ResultsOf 112 patients, 107 had a magnetic foreign body and 5 did not. Magnets were correctly detected by ultrasound in 97 patients, with an observed sensitivity of 90.65% and specificity of 100%. Satisfactory sensitivity was obtained for ultrasound localization of gastric magnets (96.30%) and small intestinal magnets (100.00%), but sensitivity for ultrasound localization of colonic magnets was relatively poor (73.33%). The discrimination of wall entrapment by ultrasound was good (AUC = 0.93), with an observed sensitivity and specificity of 92.00% and 93.62%, respectively.ConclusionsUltrasound can be used to locate gastrointestinal magnets (in the stomach, small intestine, or colon) with good clinical efficacy in identifying wall entrapment.

Objective: Based on the data mining method, explore the medication rules of Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of digestive system tumors. Method: Based on the "Chinese Traditional Medicine Prescription Database" in https://db.yaozh.com/, collect Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of digestive system tumors, establish an Excel table, and use the ancient and modern medical case cloud platform (V2.2.1) to perform frequency statistics, association rules, and drugs on the data Clustering and complex network analysis. Results: A total of 36 Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of digestive system tumors were screened. The medicinal properties were mainly warm and cold, the taste was bitter and sweet, and the meridians were mainly liver and spleen meridians. High frequency Chinese medicine include Astragalus, Scutellaria-barbata, Ginseng, Curcuma, Triangle, Atractylodes, Hedyotis diffusa, etc. Correlation analysis obtained 17 drug combinations, High-frequency drug pairs include Scutellaria-barbata-Astragalus, Ginseng-Astragalus, Curcuma-Astragalus, Scutellaria-barbata-Curcuma, etc. Cluster analysis found 3 types of drugs. The core drug network is composed of 27 drugs, and the core compatibility network consists of 3 groups of drugs. Conclusion: The Chinese patent compound medicine for the treatment of digestive system tumors has the characteristics of combining cold and warming, replenishing and reducing treatment, and treating the liver and spleen at the same time. The medicine is mainly used to replenish qi and invigorate the spleen, promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and clear away heat and detoxification. Replenish qi, nourish yin, invigorate blood, and detoxify are mainly compatible with each other, reflecting the pathogenesis characteristics of "deficiency, stasis, and toxin" in digestive system tumors. Data mining can provide references for the prescription and compatibility of Chinese patent medicines.

The external treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history of external treatment, with the characteristics of simplicity, convenience, cheapness, and effectiveness. It also plays an important role in the treatment of malignant tumor complications. The academic idea of ”Use communication as a complement” has existed since ancient times, and it still has great significance in guiding clinical treatment. Based on the theory of “Use communication as a complement”, Professor JIA Liqun used Tongluo powder to treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, Wentong acupoint sticking for external treatment of cancer pain, and digestive tract reaction after chemotherapy, and achieved good clinical effects. An inspection case is attached to prove it.

Objectives To evaluate the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of non-metallic foreign bodies in the pediatric gastrointestinal tract.Methods Data of 20 children who were admitted to our hospital after ingesting a lollipop stick from January 2016 to October 2018 were analyzed. Abdominal ultrasonography and plain radiography were performed to confirm the position of the foreign body and assess secondary injuries. The two imaging methods were compared regarding the foreign body display rate and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the identification of secondary injury. The factors potentially contributing to secondary injury were assessed.Results The foreign body display rate was 100% for ultrasonography and 27.3% for abdominal plain radiography. Plain radiography did not show any signs of secondary injury. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasonography for identifying secondary injury caused by a lollipop stick foreign body were 100%, 93.8%, and 95%, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the foreign body retention time and the occurrence of secondary injury (r=0.563, P=0.01).Conclusion Ultrasonography showed a high display rate for non-metallic gastrointestinal foreign bodies in children, and had good sensitivity and satisfactory specificity and accuracy in detecting secondary injury.

Oral mucositis is a common adverse reaction of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer patients, which reduces the quality of life of patients and affects the progress of cancer treatment. Most of the patients with malignant tumor belong to the syndrome of deficiency in root case and excess in manifestation. When undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy, the patients’ ministerial fire becomes hyperactive, which may cause oral mucositis. With the method of “conducting fire back to its origin”, ministerial fire can be led to vital gate, as well as recovering its physiological functions. In the treatment of oral mucositis, instead of attacking ministerial fire with too much heat-clearing herbs, we should, under the guidance of the theory of “conducting fire back to its origin”, differentiate the syndrome, and then we can use the methods of treatment of clearing and lowering heart fire, warmly invigorating spleen and stomach, nourishing liver and kidney, or warmly invigorating vital gate, to conduct ministerial fire back to vital gate. This article aims to provide theoretical reference for Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment of radiotherapy or chemotherapy induced oral mucositis.

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a rare, benign neoplasm with a predilection for children that predominantly involves the craniofacial region. Here we report 2 cases of MNTI involving epididymis, placing emphasis on the sonographic features. Both appeared to be hypoechoic, regular shaped masses with abundant blood supplies. The unique sonographic features and age of predilection make it possible to diagnose MNTI within the scrotum by ultrasonography.

This study aims to explore the theoretical method and clinical application of manipulation reduction for testicular torsion. A total of 28 patients with testicular torsion were recruited from the Emergency Surgery Department of Beijing Children’s Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from July 2016 to July 2018. Among these patients, 22 patients (age: 10.80 ± 3.50 years old) were treated with manual reduction using the elastic retraction method and push-and-turn method. Observation indexes included dramatically alleviated or completely disappeared pain without general anesthesia; the spermatic cord being smooth and unknotted; the restoration of the suffered testis to normal anatomical position under ultrasonography monitoring; blood flow signals increased in the affected testis and epididymis, which was regarded as the main sign of a successful reduction. Among the 22 cases who received manual reduction, 19 patients were successfully treated (left side: n = 11, right side: n = 8) with a total success rate of 86.36%. The other three cases showed either incomplete (n = 2) or failed (n = 1) reposition. Among the 19 patients who were successfully treated by manual reduction, 2 of them did not undergo prophylactic orchiopexy, and no abnormalities were found during the follow-up. The reduction of testicular torsion using the elastic retraction method and push-and-turn method may improve the success rate of the manual reduction of testicular torsion, especially for incomplete testicular torsion. Furthermore, manual reduction may help increase the rate of testicular salvage in a timely manner before emergency surgery. Hence, this skill should be extended to primary hospitals to reduce the possibility of testectomy caused by testicular torsion.

Ultrasonography (US) has been widely applied and has validated efficacy in the diagnosis of colonic polyps in children. However, little attention has been paid to improving the detection rate of polyps, optimizing the ultrasonic examination process and reducing misdiagnosis. To investigate the diagnostic performance of the colonic segment-approach by US in the diagnosis of colonic polyps in pediatric patients. One hundred fifty-nine patients who were going to have a colonoscopy from September 2014 to August 2016 were enrolled in this study. All patients received US before colonoscopy. In a preliminary study, 50 patients were chosen to determine the interobserver agreement, with half of the cases with and half of the cases without a colonic segment-approach. The other 109 patients were examined by both approaches. The sensitivity and the specificity of each approach were compared based on the outcome of colonoscopy as the gold criteria. The interobserver agreement was high (0.816 for the non-segmental approach, 0.754 for the colonic segment-approach). The diagnostic sensitivity of the colonic segment-approach was higher than that of the traditional approach (82.1% vs. 57.7%, P

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound in children with perforation of congenital choledochal cysts. METHODS Eligible patients recruited from January 2004 to December 2018 in our hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study. A total of 59 cases of congenital choledochal cysts with perforation were defined as the perforation group, and 100 cases of congenital choledochal cysts without perforation with similar symptoms were defined as the control group. Clinical features were analyzed and compared between the groups. The differential efficacy of varied diagnostic criteria was evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS Significant differences were found between the groups with respect to clinical characteristics (abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and abdominal distention; all P

To develop and validate a nomogram that incorporates the gallbladder morphology, hepatic elasticity, and demographic information for the prediction of biliary atresia (BA) in children.A total of 294 consecutive patients under the age of 70 days with cholestasis and suspected symptoms of BA were enrolled in this study, who were divided into a training cohort (150 patients) and a validation cohort (144 patients). Ultrasonography and two-dimensional shear wave elastography were performed for each patient prior to knowing the final diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the gallbladder morphologic feature in the sonogram (absence of gallbladder, small gallbladder, lower postprandial gallbladder contractibility, or abnormal gallbladder wall), hepatic elasticity and clinical data from the training cohort, and a diagnostic nomogram for BA was subsequently developed. The performance of the nomogram was respectively evaluated with respect to the discrimination and calibration in every cohort.The multivariate analysis showed that the factors of age (p = 0.009), gallbladder morphology (p = 0.001) and hepatic elasticity (p0.001) could serve as independent predictive factors to differentiate between BA and other causes of cholestasis. The nomogram incorporating these three parameters showed good discrimination and satisfactory calibration, indicating a better performance compared to using only the gallbladder morphologic features and hepatic elasticity. The observed area under the receiver operator characteristic curve in the training cohort and validation cohort was 0.939 (p0.001) and 0.942 (p0.001), respectively, with a sensitivity of 95.5% and a specificity of 83.4% in the combined cohort.The established nomogram shows a favored and improved predictive value for the diagnosis of BA.

To differentiate patients with esophageal cancer or premalignant lesions from the high-risk population for preliminary screening of esophageal cancer using a feature index determined by a computer-aided tongue information acquisition and processing system (DS01-B). Totally, 213 patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer or premalignant lesions and 2,840 normal subjects were collected including primarily screened and reexamined, all of them were confirmed with histological examinations. Their tongue color space values and manifestation features were extracted by DS01-B and analyzed. Firstly, the analysis of variance was performed to differentiate normal subjects from patients with esophageal cancer and premalignant lesions. Secondly, the logistic regression was conducted using 10 features and gender, age to get a predictive equation of the possibility of esophageal cancer or premalignant lesions. Lastly, the equation was tested by subjects undergoing primary screening. Saturation (S) values in the HSV color space showed significant differences between patients with esophageal cancer and normal subjects or those with mild atypical hyperplasia (P

Ultrasound is a safe bedside imaging tool that obviates the use of ionizing radiation diagnostic procedures. Due to its convenience, the lung ultrasound has received increasing attention from neonatal physicians. Nevertheless, clear reference standards and guideline limits are needed for accurate application of this diagnostic modality. This document aims to summarize expert opinions and to provide precise guidance to help facilitate the use of the lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of neonatal lung diseases.

The Ni–W–P, Ni–P–RE and Ti coatings on diamond surface were prepared by the process of electroless plating and electroless composite plating with heat treatment. The structure of metal plating and coating was tested by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the finer coatings on diamond surface form after electroless plating and electroless composite plating process. The compressive strengths of the coatings increase by 38·57% comparing with the original diamond. The results of X-ray diffraction and thermodynamic analysis indicate that some carbides, such as WC and TiC, have been formed between diamond surface and the coatings after heat treatment. However, the compressive strength of diamonds with electroless composite plating after heat treatment is 16·43% higher than that of uncoated diamond because of high temperature oxidation.

For a holonomic system with variable mass, the conformal invariance and the conserved quantity of Mei symmetry of Appell equations are investigated. First, by the infinitesimal one-parameter transformation group and the infinitesimal generator vector, the Mei symmetry and the conformal invariance of differential equations of motion for Appell equations in a holonomic system with variable mass are defined, and the determining equation of Mei symmetry and conformal invariance for Appell equations in a holonomic system with variable mass are given. Then, the Mei-conserved quantity corresponding to the system is derived by means of the structure equation to which the gauge function satisfies. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the application of the result.

Ongoing low-grade inflammation and endothelial dysfunction persist in children with coronary lesions diagnosed with Kawasaki disease (KD). Statins, frequently used in the management of high cholesterol, have also shown to improve surrogate markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. This study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy and safety of pravastatin in children with coronary artery aneurysms due to KD.The study enrolled 14 healthy children and 13 male children, aged 2-10 years, with medium-to-giant coronary aneurysms for at least 12 months after the onset of KD. Pravastatin was given orally to the KD group at a dose of 5 mg/day for children under 5 and 10 mg/day for children older than 5 years. To determine the effects of pravastatin on endothelial function, high-frequency ultrasound was performed before the start of the study and 6 months after pravastatin therapy. The parameters measured were brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), non-flow mediated dilation (NMD), and carotid artery stiffness index (SI). High sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, the circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) number, and serum lipid profiles were also determined at baseline and after 6 months of pravastatin treatment.Before treatment, the KD group had significantly decreased FMD (P0.05) and increased SI and hs-CRP levels (P0.05) compared with controls. After 6 months of pravastatin therapy, FMD improved significantly compared to the baseline KD group (3.16±6.49 to 10.05±7.74, P0.05), but remained significantly less than that in the control group with no significant changes in NMD and SI. There were significant decreases in markers of inflammation after treatment. The hs-CRP levels decreased significantly from 2.93±0.81 mmol/L to 2.14±0.82 mmol/L (P0.05) and the serum apo-B and apo-B/apo-A1 ratio were also reduced (P0.05) in the KD group. However, the circulating EPC number was not significantly different between baseline and that following pravastatin treatment in the KD group and the control group (P0.05). No significant complications were noted with paravastatin therapy.Pravastatin improves endothelial function and reduces low-grade chronic inflammation in patients with coronary aneurysms due to KD. Children with coronary aneurysms due to KD may benefit from statin therapy.

As a surface of diamond has a higher interfacial energy and worse binding force, the diamond shed from matrix easily. For solving this, the microstructures and properties of the metallic coating on diamond surface were studied. The different temperatures, such as 110, 120, and 130 °C for 6 h, were used for coating diamond in the high-pressure reactor respectively. The structure and performance of the metallic coating on diamond surface were tested by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and diamond compressive strength instrument. The results showed that a continuous and compact coating of Ni, W and Ti on the diamond surface is obtained by the hydrothermal coating technology (chemical duplex plating) at 120 °C. After heat treatment at 850 °C for 1 h, the better layer coatings form for protecting diamonds and reducing the trend of oxidize. Because the carbides of W and Ti present at the boundries between the coating and diamond surface, the combination of chemistry and metallurgy is gotten. The compress strength of diamonds after hydrothermal and heat treatment is higher than that of uncoated particles (those are 54.40% and 85.48%, respectively).

Fibroepithelial polyps are a rare cause of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction in children. Preoperative US diagnosis of fibroepithelial polyps is infrequently reported, with intravenous pylogram and retrograde pyelography being most commonly used for diagnosis.To recommend the most accurate process for diagnosing this disease in children by assessing a modified ultrasonographic procedure for the diagnosis of fibroepithelial polyps.A retrospective review of US and IVP imaging studies performed in surgically and histologically confirmed cases of fibroepithelial polyps in children. Each child was asked to drink as much water as possible 30 min before the US testing. For US, the renal pelvis, UPJ and the proximal ureter were inspected for an echogenic mass resulting in hydronephrosis. For IVP studies, abdominal plain films were performed at 7, 15 and 30 min following contrast injection.Thirty-five children, 34 boys and 1 girl, had confirmed fibroepithelial polyps. The children ranged in age from 3 to 14 years (mean age 9 years). Clinical presentation included intermittent vague abdominal pain (100%) and/or hematuria (9.7%) for a period ranging from 1 month to 5 years. Of the 35 children (37 polyps), 21 (23 polyps) were correctly diagnosed preoperatively with US, establishing a 62.2% (23/37) US accuracy rate. Twenty polyps were seen on the left, three on the right and two children had bilateral polyps. The masses were all mildly echogenic with defined edges. Eight children (9 polyps) had an IVP consistent with fibroepithelial polyps giving IVP an accuracy rate of 24.3% (9/37).US is an effective screening tool for identifying fibroepithelial polyps causing UPJ obstruction in children.

Objective To study and evaluate the effect of Sangu Decoction (SGD, 三骨汤) on the bone destruction due to mammary cancer metastasis.

For calcium leaching and loaded concrete in engineering structures, defining the initial damage state as basic state, the damage model of calcium leaching and loaded concrete is established using damage mechanical theory and principle of strain equality. It is shown that the mechanical properties of calcium leaching and loaded concrete are determined by calcium leaching, load and coupling effect. For calcium leaching and loaded concrete, the influence factors to stress at any point are elastic modulus, maximum strain, strain at this point and the degree of calcium leaching.

Aim: To evaluate their prognosis, the damage by melamine on children's kidney and other organs, and its influence on the children's development, was investigated. Methods: Nine hundred and sixty-two Chinese children were divided into three groups: group A, 265 children diagnosed with melamine-associated urolithiasis; group B, 197 children with a history of melamine-contaminated milk powder consumption but without urolithiasis; and group C, 500 healthy children. They were examined at 0, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The factors influencing the prognosis were investigated. The stone discharge was monitored by ultrasonography. Overt renal and liver damage and underlying renal injury markers were analyzed. Results: The stone discharge rates 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the diagnoses were 52.5%, 67.2%, 88.3% and 95.5%, respectively. Stone size was a stable influencing factor for the stone discharge rate. Additionally, the values of the potential renal injury markers in children with stones already discharged is equivalent to normal children. Conclusion: This 12 month follow up of early renal injury markers indicated that the damage to the kidney is temporary with no persistent negative outcomes being found till now. Additionally, the gross development of the children seemed not yet jeopardized by melamine. Longer-term follow up will be conducted.

Noether symmetry of Nielsen equation and Noether conserved quantity deduced directly from Noether symmetry for dynamical systems of the relative motion are studied. The definition and criteria of Noether symmetry of a Nielsen equation under the infinitesimal transformations of groups are given. Expression of Noether conserved quantity deduced directly from Noether symmetry of Nielsen equation for the system are obtained. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the application of the results.

In order to evaluate the class of exposure to sulfate attack of soil, different methods were intended to measure the sulfate concentration of soil in contact with concrete in different countries. Different methods of soil extracts preparation were used to determine the sulfate ion content of soil in this paper. Two artificial soils and one natural soil were prepared in these tests. The experimental parameters investigated in the study were: acid or water extract, water to soil ratio and agitating time. When samples were prepared by water-extracting method, water to soil ratio (2:1, 5:1 and 10:1) and agitating time (3min, 6h, 16h and 24h) were considered. The results show that the difference of sulfate concentration determination results using different methods was significant. The determination results of dilute hydrochloric acid extracting solution are higher than that of water extracting solution of the same soil sample. The sulfate concentration determination results of the same soil sample have increased with the increase of water to soil ratio or agitating time. The water to soil (W/S) ratio is more sensitive than agitating time to the sulfate concentration determination results.

As the diamond surface has higher interface energy, the adhesion of surface and matrix is bad, and it makes the diamond shatter easily. For solving this, the microstructures and properties of the metallic coating on the diamond surface which contains W (tungsten) by hydrothermal method are studied. The different temperatures such as 110 ~140°C and 5h insulating were adopted to be coated in high pressure reactor respectively. The metallic coating on the diamond surface was studied by SEM，XRD and so on. The results show that the continuous and compact coating of Ni and W on the diamond surface is formed by the hydrothermal coating technology at 130°C. The heat treatment temperatures were maintained at 850°C for 1h during the heat treatment process. After the corresponding heat treatment, the better layer coatings, of which thickness is about 10μm, are formed for protecting diamonds and reducing the trend of oxidization. The carbide WC (tungsten carbide) at the interface between the coating and diamond surface is formed. The chemical and metallurgical bonding between diamond and coating is obtained. Because of the coating layers formed and the defects on diamond surface made up, the compress strength of diamond after hydrothermal and heat treatment is enhanced. The compressive strength after hydrothermal and heat treatment is higher than that of un-coating particles(those are 29.45% and 83.64% respectively).

To explore the effect of Shengjiang Xiexin Decoction (SXD) on the intestinal mucosal and functional cells of rats after irinotecan (CPT-11) chemotherapy.Totally 24 healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into three groups, the normal control group, the CPT-11 group, the SXD combined CPT-11 group according to random digit table, 8 in each group. CPT-11 was injected at the daily dose of 150 mg/kg to rats in the CPT-11 group and the SXD combined CPT-11 group from the caudal vein on the 4th day, once daily for 2 successive days to duplicate delayed diarrhea model. Equal volume of normal saline was injected to rats in the normal control group from the caudal vein. SXD at 2 g/mL (10 g/kg body weight) was administered to rats in the SXD combined CPT-11 group by gastrogavage for 9 successive days. Deionized water was administered to rats in the CPT-11 group and the normal control group. Diarrhea was observed at 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, and 108 h to calculate the incidence rate of diarrhea. Meanwhile, scoring for diarrhea was performed by referring methods of Akinobu Kurita. Rats were killed on day 10, ileum, cecum, and colon tissues were collected and fixed in 10% formalin solution. HE staining was performed. Intestinal mucosa injuries were graded under light microscope according to the criterion of Chiu's score. The expressions of goblet cells and Paneth cells were observed by PAS stain. Enteroendocrine cells were observed by immunohistochemical CgA staining. Positive cells were counted and cumulative optical density (IOD) analyzed by Image-Pro-Plus 6.0.No diarrhea occurred in rats of the normal control group at each time point. The incidence rate of diarrhea was 75.0% (6/8) at 48 h, 100.0% (8/8) at 60 h, 100.0% (8/8) at 72 h, 87.5% (7/8) at 84 h, 75.0% (6/8) at 96 h, and 75.0% (6/8) at 108 h in the CPT-11 group. The incidence rate of diarrhea was 25.0% (2/8) at 48 h, 50.0% (4/8) at 60 h, 12.5% (1/8) at 72 h, 0.0% (0/8) at 84 h in the SXD combined CPT-11 group. Compared with the same group at 60 h, scores for diarrhea at 48, 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the CPT-11 group, and scores for diarrhea at 48, 72, 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the SXD combined CPT-11 group (P0.05, P0.01). Compared with the same group at 72 h, scores for diarrhea at 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the CPT-11 group (P0.05, P0.01). Compared with the normal control group, scores for diarrhea increased in the CPT-11 group at each time point (P0.01); grading of ileum, cecum, and colon mucosal tissues increased (P0.05, P0.01); expressions of ileum and cecum mucosal epithelial goblet cells obviously decreased (P0.05); the number and expressions of ileum and cecum mucosal epithelial Paneth cells increased (P0.01). Expressions of ilium endocrine cells increased, while those of cecum and colon endocrine cells decreased in the CPT-11 group (P0.01). Compared with the CPT-11 group, scores for diarrhea were obviously lowered (P0.05, P0.01), grading of ileum, and cecum mucosal tissues decreased (P0.05, P0.01); expressions of ileum, cecum, and colon mucosal epithelial goblet cells obviously increased (P0.05, P0.01); the number and expressions of ileum cecum mucosal epithelial Paneth cells increased (P0.05); expressions of cecum and colon endocrine cells increased (P0.05, P0.01) in the SXD combined CPT-11 group.SXD played roles in preventing and treating CPT-11 induced delayed diarrhea by improving CPT-11 chemotherapy induced apoptosis and necrosis of intestinal mucosal and functional cells.

We have screened the p53 status of 156 human cell lines, including 142 tumor cell lines from 27 different tumor types and 14 cell lines from normal tissues by using functional analysis of separated alleles in yeast. This assay enables us to score wild-type p53 expression on the basis of the ability of expressed p53 to transactivate the reporter gene HIS3 via the p53-responsive GAL1 promoter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Of 142 tumor cell lines, at least 104 lines (73.2%) were found to express the mutated p53 gene: 94 lines (66.2%) were mutated in both alleles, three lines (2.1%) were heterozygous, and no p53 cDNA was amplified from seven lines (4.9%). Of the 14 cell lines originating from normal tissues, all the transformed or immortalized cell lines expressed mutant p53 only. Yeast cells expressing mutant p53 derived from 94 cell lines were analyzed for temperature-sensitive growth. p53 cDNA from eight cell lines showed p53-dependent temperature-sensitive growth, growing at 30°C but not at 37°C. Four temperature-sensitive p53 mutations were isolated: CAT→CGT at codon 214 (H214R), TAC→TGC at codon 234 (Y234C), GTG→ATG at codon 272 (V272M), and GAG→AAG (E285K). Functionally wild-type p53 was detected in 38 tumor cell lines (26.8%) and all of the diploid fibroblasts at early and late population doubling levels. These results strongly support the previous findings that p53 inactivation is one of the most frequent genetic events that occurs during carcinogenesis and immortalization. Mol. Carcinog. 19:243–253, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The carboxy-terminal portion of the p53 protein contains the tetramerization domain, and the introduction of multiple missense mutations in this domain disrupts the formation of p53 tetramers, resulting in the production of dimeric or monomeric forms of p53. It has recently been shown that a single missense or nonsense mutation in this domain affects the functional properties of p53 both in yeast and in mammalian cells. In this study, we tested the oligomerization of p53 with mutations in the oligomerization domain, when expressed in a human osteosarcoma cell line, Saos-2, in vivo. We found that single point mutations, including two missense and two nonsense mutations, in the α-helix of the oligomerization domain disrupted the oligomerization of p53, but that p53 still retained its ability to inhibit colony formation of cells to some degree. These results suggest that oligomerization and the carboxy-terminal basic domain are not prerequisite for p53-dependent tumor suppression, and this may explain why few of the tumor-derived p53 mutations that have been examined so far are carboxy-terminal mutations.

Bone metastasis (BM) is a major clinical problem for which current treatments lack full efficacy. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Sangu Decoction (SGD) has been widely used to treat BM in China. However, no in vivo experiments to date have investigated the effects of TCM on osteoclast activity in BM. In this study, the protective effect and probable mechanism of SGD were evaluated. The model was established using the breast cancer MRMT-1 cells injected into the tibia of rat. SGD was administrated, compared with Zoledronic acid as a positive control. The development of the bone tumor and osteoclast activity was monitored by radiological analysis. TRAP stain was used to identify osteoclasts quantity and activity. TRAP-5b in serum or bone tumor and TRAP mRNA were also quantified. Radiological examination showed that SGD inhibited tumor proliferation and preserved the cortical and trabecular bone structure. In addition, a dramatic reduction of TRAP positive osteoclasts was observed and TRAP-5b levels in serum and bone tumor decreased significantly. It also reduced the mRNA expression of TRAP. The results indicated that SGD exerted potent antiosteoclast property that could be directly related to its TRAP inhibited activity. In addition it prevented bone tumor proliferation in BM model.

To investigate melamine-induced pathological changes in the kidney.Wistar rats were fed with a diet containing 0, 1% and 2% melamine for 15 weeks. After melamine feeding was stopped, various outcome measures were observed for 4 weeks.Rats fed with melamine showed reduced caloric intake, slower weight gain and impaired renal function. The blood urea nitrogen of group A and B [(13.23 ± 5.10) mmol/L and (18.30 ± 5.90) mmol/L, respectively] and serum creatinine levels of group B [(19.90 ± 2.90) mmol/L] were higher than that of group C [(8.23 ± 2.30) mmol/L and (10.04 ± 1.73) mmol/L](P0.01, respectively). Additionally, the kidney coefficients of group A and B were higher than that of group C (P0.01, respectively). Crystals, tubular ectasia and interstitial inflammation and fibrosis were found in the kidneys of melamine fed rats. Four weeks after discontinuation of feeding with melamine-contained diet, the caloric intake and weight of the rats increased, the coefficients of the kidney decreased, and the blood urea nitrogen of group A and B [(17.96 ± 2.04) mmol/L and (19.20 ± 3.36) mmol/L, respectively] and serum creatinine levels of group B [(24.20 ± 5.28) mmol/L], which became worse than 4 weeks before (P0.01;P0.05, respectively), and were still higher than that of group C [(8.30 ± 1.79) mmol/L and (9.87 ± 2.71) mmol/L, P0.01, respectively]. Crystals remained inside the kidney, changes in the renal interstitium did not improve.(1) Melamine-induced urinary calculus rat model can be established by feeding 3-week old male Wistar rats with a diet containing 2% melamine for 15 weeks. The main constituent of the urinary calculus was melamine (90%), with a little uric acid and traces of cyanuric acid. (2) Melamine damaged the renal function, formed renal crystals, and led to the pathological changes of kidneys. All the influences seemed to be dose-depended and was related with the obstruction of the crystals or calculus in the kidney. (3) The renal function and the pathological changes did not improve 4 weeks after discontinuation of feeding with melamine-contained diet.

To investigate the proportion of children with congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) among those who received screening, analyze the rate, diagnosis and treatment of each abnormality, and evaluate the value of ultrasonography in the CAKUT diagnosis.Totally 489 of 26 989 children who received screening for urinary tract abnormalities were found to have CAKUT and were followed up by telephone interviews and were asked whether they had defined diagnosis of CAKUT, had clinical symptoms and received treatment. Children who had been operated on were also asked about the operation time, surgical procedure, postoperative diagnosis, and outcome. Children who had never been reviewed or still had no diagnosis were arranged to Beijing Children's Hospital for ultrasound follow-up. The final data were summed up for a retrospective analysis.1) The proportion of children with CAKUT was 1.67%. Most children with CAKUT had no clinical manifestations. 2) Of the 489 cases, 320 were followed up, and 169 were lost. Of the cases who were followed up, 16 out of 295 cases who had clear diagnosis showed inconsistent results in ultrasound screening. 3) Hydronephrosis was identified in 137 cases (0.78%), among whom 111 were males and 26 were females, in 98 cases the hydronephrosis was on the left, in 28 on the right and in 11 were bilateral. Ureterovesical junction obstruction occurred in 33 cases (0.19%), 25 males and 8 females, in 22 cases on the left, in 10 on right and bilateral in 1 case. Renal dysplasia was shown in 30 cases (0.17%), 22 males and 8 females; renal cysts in 26 cases (0.15%); duplex kidney in 24 cases (0.14%); solitary kidney in 22 cases (0.12%); ureterocele in 16 cases (0.09%); fused kidney in 10 cases (0.06%); renal hypoplasia in 9 cases (0.05%); ectopic kidney in 5 cases (0.03%); polycystic kidney in 3 cases (0.02%). Primary vesicoureteral reflux, posterior urethral valves, renal malrotation, branch renal pelvis, extrarenal pelvis in 1 case each. 4) Totally 114 of the 295 cases (38.6%) who were followed up for CAKUT in screening test required surgical treatment. Only one case of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) failed in surgery.The proportion of children with CAKUT was high. CAKUT is difficult to detect since there is no significant clinical manifestations in early ages. More than one third of patients with CAKUT needed surgical treatment. Ultrasonography showed obvious advantages in detecting children's CAKUT, proven to be the most preferred method of screening, thus could be recommended as a routine of children's physical examination.

To evaluate the late endothelial function in children with coronary aneurysm due to Kawasaki disease (KD).Thirty-one children with coronary aneurysms due to KD who had the disease course for more than 1 year and twenty-one age-matched healthy children were enrolled. Brachial artery endothelium-dependent and -independent flow-mediated dilation (FMD), carotid arterial stiffness index (SI) and intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured by high-frequency ultrasound.There were 9 cases of medium and 22 cases of giant coronary aneurysms in the KD group. Twelve KD patients had evidence of myocardial ischemia. Compared to the normal controls, the endothelium-dependent FMD decreased (P0.05), the carotid arterial SI increased (P0.05), and the carotid arterial intima-media thickness increased significantly (P0.05) in children with coronary aneurysms due to KD. The endothelium-dependent FMD decreased more significantly in 12 KD patients with myocardial ischemia than in those without any evidence of myocardial ischemia (P0.05).Late endothelial dysfunction exists in children with coronary aneurysms due to KD, especially in those with myocardial ischemia.

There lack scientific methods for evaluating the treatment of cancer pain with external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The level of clinical study in this field needs to be improved. The authors assert that when external therapies of TCM are applied to treat cancer pain, different types of cancer pain should be distinguished and treatment should be applied according to such a differentiation. Under this framework scientific evaluation can be conducted. The authors also assert that the findings of randomized, blinded and controlled trials should be given particular attention, and it is necessary to include titration of morphine into clinical trails of external therapies for the treatment of cancer pain, not only complying with the three-ladder principle for treating cancer pain suggested by the World Health Organization, but also not influencing the effect evaluation of external therapies of TCM on cancer pain. Patient diaries recording pain were revised as observation indexes. The primary indicator of efficacy was the pain intensity score and the secondary indicators were the equivalent of morphine and the remission rate of pain. The time to onset, remission duration and comparison of assessment of pain influence can mirror the characteristics of external therapies of TCM on cancer pain.

To evaluate their prognosis, the damage by melamine on children's kidney and other organs, and its influence on the children's development, was investigated.Nine hundred and sixty-two Chinese children were divided into three groups: group A, 265 children diagnosed with melamine-associated urolithiasis; group B, 197 children with a history of melamine-contaminated milk powder consumption but without urolithiasis; and group C, 500 healthy children. They were examined at 0, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The factors influencing the prognosis were investigated. The stone discharge was monitored by ultrasonography. Overt renal and liver damage and underlying renal injury markers were analyzed.The stone discharge rates 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the diagnoses were 52.5%, 67.2%, 88.3% and 95.5%, respectively. Stone size was a stable influencing factor for the stone discharge rate. Additionally, the values of the potential renal injury markers in children with stones already discharged is equivalent to normal children.This 12 month follow up of early renal injury markers indicated that the damage to the kidney is temporary with no persistent negative outcomes being found till now. Additionally, the gross development of the children seemed not yet jeopardized by melamine. Longer-term follow up will be conducted.

In 2008, a sharp increase of the number of children diagnosed with urinary calculi was observed in China, 9433 children were diagnosed as having melamine-induced urinary calculi at outpatient clinic in Beijing Children's Hospital. This study examined the therapeutic efficacy of potassium sodium hydrogen citrate (PSHC) used to treat melamine-induced urinary stones in Chinese children who consumed melamine-containing infant formula.Seventy-two infants and children (average age (18.2 +/- 7.7) months) who were diagnosed with urinary calculi were randomly divided into three treatment groups using the SAS Plan program. Group 1 was given a low dose (1 g/d) of PSHC, group 2 was given high dose of PSHC (2 g/d) and group 3 was given no PSHC (control group). The dose of drug was adjusted according to the baseline urinary pH. This study analyzed the influence of the dose of PSHC, the age of patients, stone size and position, and urinary pH on the level of efficacy of PSHC (cured, effectively treated or not cured).After 1 - 6 months of therapy, 19 patients from group 1, five patients from group 2 and six patients from group 3 were cured. Five patients from group 1, five patients from group 2 and four patients from group 3 were effectively treated. There were significant differences in therapeutic efficacy between the two treatment doses after 3 and 6 months as measured by the increase in the successful expulsion rate and time of melamine-induced urinary calculi. After 6 months the mean time of expulsion of urinary calculi in groups 1 and 2 was significantly shorter than in the control group.PSHC can significantly increase the successful expulsion rate and time of melamine-induced urinary calculi. The therapeutic efficacy is affected by PSHC dose, treatment duration, calculi position, and urinary pH. There is no relationship between the therapeutic efficacy and the stone size or patient age.

A total of 25 Chinese patients aged 6 to 36 months hospitalised at Beijing Children’s Hospital due to melamine-induced kidney stones complicated by acute obstructive renal failure in 2008 were included in a study in order to diagnose and treat these special cases more effectively. Feeding history, clinical presentation, ultrasound findings, treatments and effects were summarised. Twelve to seventeen months follow-up was reported also. Ultrasound examination showed that calculi were located at the kidney and ureters. Stones were composed of both uric acid and melamine in a molar ratio of 1.2:1 to 2.1:1. Treatments providing liquid plus alkalisation of urine proved to be effective in helping the patients pass the stones. Surgical intervention was needed in severe cases. Renal function returned to normal in all 25 patients after various durations of therapy. Sixty-eight percent of the patients expelled all of the calculi within 3 months, 90% in 6 months and 95% in 9 months, without sequelae till now. Melamine-contaminated milk formula can cause kidney stones in infants, which should be diagnosed by feeding history, clinical symptoms and ultrasound examination. Composition of the stones was not only of melamine but also uric acid. Providing liquid orally or intravenously plus alkalisation of urine proved to promote the removal of the stones. Follow-up of 12 to 17 months after discharge showed no sequelae.

To study and evaluate the effect of Sangu Decoction (SGD, ) on the bone destruction due to mammary cancer metastasis.Metastasis rat mammary tumor-1 cells were transplanted into the left hind limb tibia of SD rats to establish the bone metastasis of the mammary cancer model. The modeled rats were treated with SGD for observing its effect on rats' pain behavior, including 50% paw withdrawal threshold (50% PWT) after von Frey fiber stimulation, burden difference of bilateral feet, and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL), with zoledronic acid as the positive control. Moreover, the damage in the tibia sample of rats was scored by an iconographic method, and the bone mineral density (BMD) as well as the bone mineral content (BMC) were estimated.The model established showed characteristics of mixed metastasis, revealing the manifestations of tumor development, bone destruction, cancerous pain, etc. In the SGD-treated group, 50% PWT was prolonged (8.13 ± 4.76 vs. 2.30 ± 2.19), and TWL was longer (3.48 ± 0.62 s vs. 2.89 ± 0.26 s) than those in the control group, respectively (P0.05 or P0.01). Iconographic scoring also showed improvement of BMD (0.134 ± 0.009 vs. 0.120 ± 0.007, P0.01) and an elevating trend of BMC in the SGD-treated group.SGD could effectively alleviate the cancerous pain of bone metastasis and mitigate the metastasis that cause osteolytic destruction of bone.

Infants in some areas of China developed urinary lithiasis after being fed with powdered milk that was tainted with melamine in 2008 and very small proportion of the infants developed acute renal failure caused by urinary tract calculus obstruction. The aim of this article was to summarize clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of infants with urinary calculus and acute renal failure developed after being fed with melamine tainted formula milk.Data of infant patients with urinary calculus and acute renal failure due to melamine tainted formula milk admitted to the Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Medical University and the Xuzhou Children's Hospital in 2008 were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, imaging features as well as effects of 4 types of therapies.All the 34 infants with urinary calculus were complicated with acute renal failure, their blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was (24.1+/-8.2) mmol/L and creatinine (Cr) was (384.2+/-201.2) micromol/L. The chemical analysis on the urinary calculus sampled from 15 of the infants showed that the calculus contained melamine and acidum uricum. The time needed for the four types of therapies for returning Cr to normal was (3.5+/-1.9) days for cystoscopy group, (2.7+/-1.1) days for lithotomy group, (3.8+/-2.3) days for dialysis group, and (2.7+/-1.6) days for medical treatment group, which had no statistically significant difference (P=0.508). Renal failure of all the 34 infants was relieved within 1 to 7 days, averaging (3.00+/-1.78) days.Melamine tainted formula milk may cause urinary calculus and obstructive acute renal failure. It is suggested that firstly the patients with urinary calculus complicated with acute renal failure should be treated with dialysis or medication to correct electrolyte disturbance, in particular hyperkalemia, and then relieve the obstruction with available medical and surgical methods as soon as possible. It was observed that the short-term prognosis was satisfactory.

Intake of melamine can cause renal and ureteral lithiasis in infants and children. The present study aimed to understand the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of renal and ureteral lithiasis in infants and young children caused by melamine, and the characteristics of ultrasonograms of melamine-associated calculi.Ultrasonographic examination on the urinary system was performed for 28 332 children who ingested milk powder that was possibly tainted with melamine; 395 of the children were diagnosed by ultrasonography as having urinary calculus, and 231 cases had lump-like calculi and 164 cases had sand gravel-like calculi. The features of the calculi, the sites of obstruction and the status of hydronephrosis and hydroureterosis were analyzed. Ultrasonographic reexamination was performed for 116 patients and the findings were compared with those of the first ultrasonography, and the short-term expulsion of the calculi was evaluated.Most of the 395 patients with urinary lithiasis, except for those who developed renal failure, had no symptoms. The whole profile of the calculi could be seen in most of the cases, because the echogenicity of the calculi with no sharp or absent acoustical shadowing, was weaker as compared with those from calcium-containing calculi. Comet tail sign could be seen behind the echogenicity of single gravel calculus. The rate of diagnostic consistency of ureteral lithiasis between the ultrasound and the results of clinical observation (including stones expelled spontaneously or after cystoscopic intervention) in 51 cases for 76 ureters was 100%. Percutaneous renal biopsy was performed for one case, and histopathological examination showed flocculent, fine strip-like, ellipse and circular deeply stained sand gravel-like material in the renal tubules, and the circular calculi were found to be attached to the walls of the tubules. Chemical analysis of the calculi expelled from 12 cases showed that the main contents of the calculi were uric acid and melamine. Short-term ultrasound reexamination in 116 patients showed that gravel-like calculi disappeared in 80.4% of the cases; in 26 non-hospitalized cases who had lump-like calculi without hydronephrosis or hydroureterosis, none of the lump-like calculi were expelled.The ultrasonographic findings of urinary calculi in children caused by ingestion of melamine-tainted milk powder have a certain features as compared to the calculi containing calcium. Careful ultrasound examination can avoid missed diagnoses of ureteral calculi. Most of the gravel-like calculi can be expelled within a short period of term, while lump-like calculi can hardly be expelled. Ultrasonography is an accurate and reliable method of diagnosis of urinary calculus caused by melamine intake in children and it can be used as diagnostic method of choice although abdominal X-ray plain film can also visualize some of larger calculi.

To summarize clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of infants with urinary calculus and acute renal failure developed after being fed with melamine tainted formula milk.Data of infant patients with urinary calculus and acute renal failure due to melamine tainted formula milk admitted to the Beijing Children's Hospital affiliated to the Capital Medical University and the Xuzhou Children's Hospital in 2008 were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, image features as well as effects of 4 types of therapies.All the 34 infants with urinary calculus were complicated with acute renal failure, their blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was (24.1 +/- 8.2) mmol/L and creatinine (Cr) was (384.2 +/- 201.2) micromol/L. The chemical analysis on the urinary calculus sampled from 14 of the infants showed that the calculus contained melamine and acidum uricum. The time needed for the four types of therapies for returning Cr to normal was (3.5 +/- 1.9) d for cystoscopy group, (2.7 +/- 1.1) d for lithotomy group, (3.8 +/- 2.3) d for dialysis group, and (2.7 +/- 1.6) d for medical treatment group, which had no statistically significant difference (P = 0.508). Renal failure of all the 34 infants was relieved within 1 to 7 days, averaging (3.0 +/- 1.8) d.Melamine tainted formula milk may cause urinary calculus and obstructive acute renal failure. It is suggested that firstly the patients with urinary calculus complicated with acute renal failure should be treated with dialysis or medication to correct electrolyte disturbances, in particular hyperkalemia, and then relieve the obstruction with available medical and surgical methods as soon as possible. It is observed that the short term prognosis is satisfactory.