Combination of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay and Nested PCR for Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Human Serum Samples

A set of universal loop-mediated isothermal amplification （LAMP） primers targeting the flo gene was designed to detect Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato （B. burgdorferi s.I.） in human samples. The sensitivity of LAMP was 20 copies/reaction, and the assay did not detect false positives among 11 other related bacteria. A positive LAMP result was obtained for 9 of the 24 confirmed cases and for 12 of 94 suspected cases. The positive rate of LAMP was the same as that of nested PCR. The LAMP is a useful diagnostic method that can be developed for rapid detection of B. burgdorferi s.I. in human sera. Combination of the LAMP and nested PCR was more sensitive for detecting B. burgdorferi s.I. in human serum samples.

A Comparison of the Views of Heavenly Principles and Human Desire and the Theory of Personality Structure

This paper makes a comparative study of the theory of heavenly principles and human desires in the Neo-Confucianism of the Song and Ming Dynasties and the theory of personality structure in psychoanalytic theory.From the perspective of the construction of the subject,in the debate between the heavenly principle and the human desire,the person is built into the moral subject.The id,ego,and super-ego in the psychoanalytic theory constitute the unconscious structural subject.In the framework of these two theories,the“maintain the heavenly principles and eradicate human desires”and“the heavenly principles exist in desire”in the theory of heavenly principles and human desires express the unity of opposites between heavenly principles and human desire.The core of personality structure theory is the relationship of obedience and control among the id,ego,and super-ego.As far as the value orientation is concerned,the debate between the heavenly principle and the human desire provides a theoretical basis for the moral practice of Confucianism of“aim at absolute perfection”,while the free will of the id in the unconscious subject is the most essential ethical aspect of psychoanalysis.

PRaG 3.0 therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is a highly fatal disease with limited effective treatment especially after first-line chemotherapy.The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2)immunohistochemistry(IHC)positive is associated with more aggressive clinical behavior and shorter overall survival in PDAC.CASE SUMMARY We present a case of multiple metastatic PDAC with IHC mismatch repair proficient but HER-2 IHC weakly positive at diagnosis that didn’t have tumor regression after first-line nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and PD-1 inhibitor treatment.A novel combination therapy PRaG 3.0 of RC48(HER2-antibody-drug conjugate),radio-therapy,PD-1 inhibitor,granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-2 was then applied as second-line therapy and the patient had confirmed good partial response with progress-free-survival of 6.5 months and overall survival of 14.2 month.She had not developed any grade 2 or above treatment-related adverse events at any point.Percentage of peripheral CD8^(+) Temra and CD4^(+) Temra were increased during first two activation cycles of PRaG 3.0 treatment containing radiotherapy but deceased to the baseline during the maintenance cycles containing no radiotherapy.CONCLUSION PRaG 3.0 might be a novel strategy for HER2-positive metastatic PDAC patients who failed from previous first-line approach and even PD-1 immunotherapy but needs more data in prospective trials.

Between the Heaven and Human Beings: On the Idea of the Heaven and the Transformation of Poetry in the Mid-Tang Dynasty

The relationship between the Heaven and human beings is a central issue in the transformation of Confucianism in the Mid-Tang Dynasty.The discourses on the Heaven by Han Yu,Liu Zongyuan,and Liu Yuxi helped to promote the transformation and greatly influenced the transformation in literature.The differences in the poetry among the three authors may also be interpreted from the perspective of their perceptions of the Heaven—Han Yu’s discourse on the Heaven focused on the enemy-relationship between the Heaven and human beings,so his poems always showed tension and loss.Liu Zongyuan was interested in the alienation between the heaven and human beings,so his poems were more rational and placid than Han Yu’s.However,Liu Yuxi’s discourse on the Heaven paid attention to the positive influence of the Heaven on human beings,and most of his poems were filled with reason.The changes in the relationship between the Heaven and human beings lead to the broadened themes,innovated vocabulary,diversified styles,and varied fresh imageries.Likewise,the relationship between the Heaven and human beings established in the Song Dynasty led accordingly to a new type of literature different from the Tang literature.

Series of Interpretation on Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic: Two Correspondence between Human and the Heaven: Views from Huang Di Nei Jing (《黄帝内经》 Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic)

This paper introduces the relations between human and the nature in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).TCM is a science dedicated to studies on laws of human life activities.

Disitamab vedotin combined with apatinib in gastric cancer: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND In patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-overex-pressing gastric cancer(GC),the combination of HER2 targeting and a standard first-line chemotherapy regimen has been demonstrated to significantly improve their prognosis.However,in a proportion of patients,cancer progresses within a short period of time,and there is currently no standard treatment after disease progression.CASE SUMMARY This study presents a case of a 51-year-old male with advanced GC who un-derwent radical resection(Billroth type II subtotal gastrectomy and gastrojejun-ostomy)and resection of liver metastases.Immunohistochemical staining revealed a HER2 score of 2+,a dMMR status,and a Ki67 proliferation index of 30%to 40%.The gene test results indicated the presence of ERBB2 amplification and a PD-L1 expression level of less than 5%.Since December 2021,the patient has experienced disease progression during both first-line(two cycles of KN026 combined with KN046)and second-line(five cycles of nivolumab combined with trastuzumab and SOX chemotherapy)treatment regimens.The patient's prognosis following the first and second lines of treatment was unfavorable,with pro-gression occurring in a relatively short time.For third-line therapy,disitamab vedotin(RC48)plus apatinib was used.At the time of this report,the patient had achieved a progression-free survival(PFS)of 25.8 months,which exceeded the median survival time for patients with advanced GC.CONCLUSION Despite the unfavorable prognosis associated with advanced GC,the imple-mentation of personalized treatment approaches may still prove beneficial for select patients.In patients with HER2-positive GC with extensive metastatic involvement,the use of the HER2-targeted combination with apatinib has demonstrated the potential to prolong both PFS and overall survival.

Methionine-dependence and combination chemotherapy on human gastric cancer cells in vitro

AIM: To elucidate whether human primary gastric cancer and gastric mucosa epithelial cells in vitro can grow normally in a methionine (Met) depleted environment, i.e. Met-dependence, and whether Met-depleting status can enhance the killing effect of chemotherapy on gastric cancer cells. METHODS: Fresh human gastric cancer and mucosal tissues were managed to form monocellular suspensions, which were then cultured in the Met-free but homocysteine-containing (Met(-)Hcy(+)) medium, with different chemotherapeutic drugs. The proliferation of the cells was examined by cell counter, flow cytometry (FCM) and microcytotoxicity assay (MTT). RESULTS: The growth of human primary gastric cancer cells in Met(-)Hcy(+) was suppressed, manifested by the decrease of total cell counts [1.46 +/- 0.42 (x 10(9).L(-1)) in Met(-)Hcy(+) vs 1.64 +/-0.44(x 10(9).L(-1)) in Met(+)Hcy(-), P【0.01], the decline in the percentage of G(0)G(1) phase cells (0.69 +/- 0.24 in Met(-)Hcy(+) vs 0.80 +/- 0.18 in Met(+)Hcy(-), P【0.01) and the increase of S cells (0.24 +/- 0.20 in Met(-)Hcy(+) vs 0.17 +/- 0.16 in Met(+)Hcy(-), P【0.01); however, gastric mucosal cells grew normally. If Met(-)Hcy(+) medium was used in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs, the number of surviving gastric cancer cells dropped significantly. CONCLUSION: Human primary gastric cancer cells in vitro are Met-dependent; however, gastric mucosal cells have not shown the same characteristics. Met(-)Hcy(+) environment may strengthen the killing effect of chemotherapy on human primary gastric cancer cells.

Long-term alpha interferon and lamivudine combination therapy in non-responder patients with anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B:Results of an open,controlled trial

AIM: To investigate the safety and efficacy of long-term combination therapy with alpha interferon and lamivudine in non-responsive patients with anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B.METHODS: 34 patients received combination treatment (1 month lamivudine, 12 month lamivudine+interferon, 6month lamivudine), 24 received lamivudine (12 months),24 received interferon (12 months). Interferon was administered at 6 MU tiw and lamivudine at 100 mg orally once daily. Patients were followed up for 6 months after treatment.RESULTS: At the end of treatment, HBV DNA negativity rates were 88 % with lamivudine+interferon, 99 % with lamivudine and 55 % with interferon, (P=0.004, combination therapy vs. interferon, and P=0.001 lamivudine vs.interferon), and serum transaminase normalization rates were 84 %, 91% and 53 % (P=0.01 combination therapy vs. interferon, and P=0.012 lamivudine vs. interferon). Six months later, HBV DNA negativity rates were 44 % with lamivudine+interferon, 33 % with lamivudine and 25 % with interferon, and serum transaminase normalization rates were 61%, 42 % and 45 %, respectively, without statistical significance. No YMDD variants were observed with lamivudine+interferon (vs. 12 % with lamivudine). The combination therapy appeared to be safe. CONCLUSION: Although viral clearance and transaminase normalization are slower with long-term lamivudine+interferon than that with lamivudine alone, the combination regimen seems to provide more lasting benefits and to protect against the appearance of YMDD variants. Studies with other regimens regarding sequence and duration are needed.

ANALYSIS OF HUMAN PLACENTA BY ^(31)P NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE AND THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY SCANNING COMBINED WITH THE CORRECTIVE METHOD OF ABSORBANCE PROPORTIONAL COEFFICIENT

Five phospholipids in human placenta were determined by phosphorus 31 nuclear magnetic resonance(^(31)P NMR)spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography(TLC) scanning combined with the corrective method of absorbance proportional coefficient. The NMR spectrometer used this investigation was a Bruker AM-500 spectrometer operating at 202.4 MHz for ^(31)P chemical shifts are relative to 85% phosphoric acid. TIC was carried out by silica gel H plate developed in chloroform-methanol-glacial acetic acid-ethanol-water(25:4:6:2:0.5),with Vaskovsky reagent as colour -developing agent of phospholipids.

Effects of Magnetic Needle Acupuncture on Blood Pressure and Plasma ET-1 Level in the Patient of Hypertension

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is ever known as a bio-peptidewith the strongest vasoconstrictive action and withwide biological effects.

Twenty-eight Cases of Diabetic Foot Ulcer and Gangrene Treated with the Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined with Injection of Ahylsantinfarctase

Since 1995, the Chinese herbal medicine for supplementing qi and activating blood circulation combined with injection of ahylsantinfarctase into the femoral artery has been used in 28 cases of diabetes complicated with gangrene and ulcer of the foot, with quite good therapeutic effects as reported in the following.……

Clinical Observation on the Therapeutic Effects of Zhongyan-2 Recipe in Treating 29 HIV-Infected and AIDS Patients

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of Zhongyan-2 Recipe (ZY-2), a recipe consisting of Chinese herbal medicine. Methods: Twenty-nine HIV-infected patients were treated with ZY-2 for 3 months as one treatment course; and viral load, immune function and symptoms-signs were determined before and after treatment. Results: After treatment, the absolute values of CD4 were elevated in 8 cases, and lowered in 14 cases, 7 cases were not changed; the ratio of CD4/CD8 were elevated in 2 cases, lowered in 1 case, 16 of them were not changed obviously. The CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio were elevated simultaneously in 2 cases. Neopterin lowered in 4 cases, elevated in 11 cases, and not changed in 1 case. Viral load (VL) was lowered in 6 cases, elevated in 8 cases and not changed in 2 cases. The total effective rate was 42.28% on the basis of comprehensive assessment of VL, immune function, body weight and symptoms-signs. Conclusion: ZY-2 is an effective Chinese recipe in treating HIV-infected patients.

Study progression of recombinant human endostatin (Endostar) for the treatment of malignant serous effusion

Since recombinant human endostatin (rh-endostatin;Endostar) has been listed 5 years,clinicians have combined it with chemotherapy for the treatment of lung cancers and other malignant tumors,and proved its effect and safety.A number of scholars have explored the application of Endostar alone or in combination with chemotherapy for treatment of malignant serous effusion,finding its high efficiency and low toxicity;and that hydrops controlling is stronger,and that it can significantly improve patients' quality of life.It is worthy of conducting prospective,randomized and multi-center clinical studies and basic researches to clarify the mechanism.

Low eradication rate of Helicobacterpyloriwith triple 7-14 days and quadriple therapy in Turkey

AIM:The eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) shows variation among countries and regimens of treatment. We aimed to study the eradication rates of different regimens in our region and some factors affecting the rate of eradication. METHODS:One hundred and sixty-four H pylori positive patients (68 males,96 females;mean age:48±12 years) with duodenal or gastric ulcer without a smoking history were included in the study.The patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment regimens.Omeprazole 20mg,clarithromycin 500mg,amoxicillin 1g were given twice daily for 1 week (Group Ⅰ) and 2 weeks (Group Ⅱ). Patients in Group Ⅲ received bismuth subsitrate 300mg, tetracyline 500mg and metronidazole 500mg four times daily in addition to Omeprazole 20mg twice daily.Two biopsies each before and after treatment were obtained from antrum and corpus,and histopathologically evaluated. Eradication was assumed to be successful if no H pylorus was detected from four biopsy specimens taken after treatment.The effects of factors like age,sex,H pylori density on antrum and corpus before treatment,the total H pylori density,and the inflammation scores on the rate of H pylori eradication were evaluated. RESULTS:The overall eradication rate was 42%.The rates in groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ were statistically higher than that in group Ⅰ (P<0.05).The rates of eradication were 24.5%, 40.7% and 61.5% in groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ,respectively.The eradication rate was negatively related to either corpus H pylori density or total H pylori density (P<0.05).The median age was older in the group in which the eradication failed in comparison to that with successful eradication (55 yr vs 39 yr,P<0.001).No correlation between sex and H pylori eradication was found. CONCLUSION:Our rates of eradication were significantly lower when compared to those reported in literature.We believe that advanced age and high H pylori density are negative predictive factors for the rate of H pylori eradication.

Treatment of Interstitial Peumopathy by Fei Tong Oral Liquid in the Malignant Tumor Patients after Radio-and/or Chemotherapy

Fei Tong Kou Fu Ye (肺通口服液 Fei Tong Oral Liquid) was used to treat 30 cases of interstitial pneumopathy after radio- and/or chemotherapy.In comparison with the control group (15 cases) treated with hormones,the therapeutic effects in improving dyspnea,cough,respiratory rate,cyanosis,findings in X-films and CT examination,partial pressure of oxygen in artery,FVC and VC were found significantly better (P<0.05).The total effective rate obtained was 83.33%.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF THE COMBINED CHINESE AND WESTERN MEDICINE ON METASTATIC CARCINOMA IN THE SUPRACLAVICULAR LYMPH NODES——An Analysis of 285 Cases

Between 1985 and 1989, 285 cases of metastatic carcinoma in the supraclavicular lymph nodes were treated by the following five methods: Chinese medication, radiotherapy plus Chinese medication, chemotherapy plus Chinese medication, combined Chinese and Western medicine and expectant treatment. Analysis shows that radiotherapy plus Chinese medication has the best curative effect with an effective rate of 75.5%. The effective rates were 74.2% for the combined treatment, 55.5% for the chemotherapy plus medication, 12.5% for the Chinese medication, and none for expectant treatment.

The Antagonistic Action of Heat-Clearing and Detoxifying Chinese Drugs on Endotoxins

In the recent decade, interest in treatment and prevention of many critical, severe and acute diseases caused by bacterial endotoxins has been aroused along with the advance of the knowledge on the nature of the endotoxin and the conditions involved. In abroad, attention has been mainly payed to raising antisera and monocolonal antibodies against the endotoxin and the induced mediators. However, the allergic reactions and the cost are still the problems. Till now, there is no drug that can antagonize endotoxin with high effectiveness and low toxicity. Clinical treatments are still confined in inhibiting or killing the pathogen, and correcting the internal environmental disturbance. Being less toxic and rich in resources with low cost and less side-effects, screening of effective Chinese drugs for antagonizing endotoxin is of important and practical significance. Endotoxin belongs to the category of toxic evils, or more precisely, the heat toxin in TCM. Therefore the application of heat-clearing and detoxifying Chinese drugs to antagonizing endotoxins is consistent with the theory of TCM. Some achievements in this field are reported as follows.

An Approach to the Integration of Acupuncture and Drug

Integration of acupuncture and drug is a therapeutic method in which acupuncture treatment and pharmacotherapy are synchronously performed in the same patient to prevent and treat the disease. Its importance can be traced back to Sun Simiao (581-682 A.D.), a prominent physician of China's Tang Dynasty. He pointed out that: A physician who masters only acupuncture treatment in clinical practice but not moxibustion, or masters only moxibustion treatment but not acupuncture is not a skillful doctor; and a physician who is only aware of the application of acupuncture and moxibustion but ignorant of pharmacotherapy, or is only aware of pharmacotherapy but ignorant of the application of acupuncture and moxibustion also should not be a skillful one. Not only should a skillful doctor have the knack of applying acupuncture and moxibustion, but he should have the knack at pharmacotherapy in treating diseases. Each of acupuncture and moxibustion, and drug has its strong points. Therefore, both of them should be used simultaneously, thus bringing the strong points of both individuals into full play and offsetting their weaknesses so as to obtain a satisfactory therapeutic effect. With the development of modern medicine and introduction of advanced technology, there have been brilliant developments in the method and applied range of integration of acupuncture and drug, particularly in the studies on combined anesthesia induced by using acupuncture and drug, and administering drug by acupoint. All these have provided us a ground to further probe into the mechanism underlying the integration of acupuncture and drug.

A Survey of Researches on Synergy and Toxicity Abatement of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Radiotherapy of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Even though radiotherapy is a therapy of first choice in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, its radiotoxicity is often difficult to bear for patients in addition to the unsatisfactory effect in some patients. Therefore, an important problem in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is to abate radiotherapeutic toxicity and improve its effect. Some progresses in promoting the effect of radiotherapy and abating its toxicity have been made through application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which is briefly reviewed as follows.

WHAT SHOULD BE KEPT IN MIND FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE TOXIC SIDE-EFFECTS INDUCED BY POSTOPERATIVE CHEMO-AND RADIOTHERAPY FOR OVARIAN TUMOR?

Ovarian tumor may occur in women ofany age, but mostly seen in women duringtheir child-bearing period. The disease shouldbe treated mainly by surgical operation,supplemented by radiotherapy and chemo-therapy. However, the above therapies maycause a series of toxic side-effects, such asalopecia, diarrhea, edema, anorexia, nausea,dry mouth, spontaneous perspiration, headache,