Overview of the plague in the late Ming Dynasty and its prevention and control measures

The plague of the late Ming Dynasty(15511644 C.E.)was long lasting,affected a wide range of the population,and had serious consequences.The purpose of this study is to review the medical system in place at the time and the measures instituted to prevent and control the plague during the late Ming Dynasty.Information on the history of the Ming Dynasty(13681644 C.E.),local chronicles,and related research literature were consulted and analyzed in terms of duration,geographical area,and other dimensions of the epidemic.Because of the abnormal climate,wide range of natural disasters,and the impact of war,the epidemic spread over a wide area during the late Ming Dynasty.The government’s epidemic prevention measures were affected by war and other factors,resulting in poor control of the outbreak.However,in terms of the medical system in place during the Ming Dynasty,some of the thinking and methods of prevention and control of the plague were historical and progressive.Some outstanding physicians such as Wu Youke(15821652 C.E.)appeared during this period.His theory of plague prevention and control had a profound influence on the formation and development of pestilence deterrence in later generations.In the late Ming Dynasty,rich experiences and measures of prevention and control were accumulated in the struggle against the plague.These methods and experiences also have a significant,positive guiding influence on the prevention and control of plague in the present day.

Effectiveness of complex decongestive therapy in management of breast cancer associated lymphedema

Background:To assess the edema relief effects of complex decongestive therapy(CDT)in patients with breast cancer associated lymphedema after axillary lymph node dissection(ALND).Methods:58 breast cancer patients with unilateral arm lymphedema after breast cancer ALND were enrolled.The patients were divided into three groups based on the difference of circumference between the affected and unaffected extremity:group 1,mild lymphedema in circumference difference;group 2,moderate lymphedema,and group 3,severe lymphedema.These patients received four weeks of CDT and self-administered home therapy.Arm circumference was measured before,right after CDT,3 months and 12 months of follow-up.Results:In the first group,the circumference difference was 1.53±0.73 cm prior to CDT,and 0.32±0.59 cm right after CDT,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).At the 1-year-follow-up,we got an even higher value than the pre-CDT one,however,there was no significant difference(P=0.175).At the end of CDT,the circumference difference of the third group was 4.52±2.58 cm,significantly lower than the baseline level(8.76±3.07 cm)(P<0.001).In the third group,the reduction of circumference difference was persisted for 12 months.Conclusion:The effects of CDT were maintained for 12 months,while there were differences in progress of circumference difference among the three groups.The effects of patients with severe initial edema(>5 cm increased)last longer.

New Coronavirus-Infected Pneumonia Engulfs Wuhan

As of 16:00 pm.on January 30,2020,a total of 7826 cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia have been reported,including 1501 severe cases and 170 deaths.There were 12139 suspected cases,133 cases were cured and discharged in China[1].

Research progression on immunotherapy biomarkers of peripheral blood in non-small-cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with the fastest increasing morbidity and mortality in the world.Although surgical techniques have been improved and new chemotherapy drugs and local treatment methods keep emerging in recent years,the overall therapeutic effect on lung cancer is unsatisfactory.The advent of immunotherapy has brought about a major revolution in treating lung cancer,especially for non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).However,based on the heterogeneity of cancer types,not all patients with NSCLC can benefit from immunotherapy.It is essential to find reliable biomarkers to guide clinical immunotherapy.Compared with histological biopsy,biomarker-based detection not only has the advantages of early and non-invasive detection,but also can reflect the tumor’s biological characteristics and the body’s immune status.This article reviews the research progression on immunotherapy biomarkers of peripheral blood in NSCLC,with the aim of providing references for the evaluation of immunotherapy efficacy and prognosis of patients with NSCLC.