Qingchang suppositry induced remission in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative proctitis: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qingchang suppository (, QCS), a preparation of Chinese herbal medicine, in the induction of remission in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative proctitis (UP). METHODS: We performed a multicenter, prospective, randomized, parallel-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of QCS induction therapy in 140 adult patients with mild-to-moderate UP and TCM syndrome of dampness-heat in large intestine. The patients were randomized to receive QCS (study group) or Salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) suppository (control group) one piece each time, twice a day, per anum for 12 weeks. Mayo score and main symptoms score were evaluated at weeks 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12, rectosigmoidscopy was taken at weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12, Geboes score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and safety indexes were assessed at weeks 0 and 12. The primary efficacy endpoint is clinical remission rate, the secondary efficacy endpoints are clinical response rate, mucosa healing rate, Geboes score, the remission rates of the main symptoms, the median day to the remission of the symptom, etc. RESULTS: There were no statistical difference in the clinical remission rates, the clinical response rates, the mucosa healing rates, Geboes score, ESR and CRP between the two groups. The remission rates of tenesmus and anal burning sensation of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (76.5% vs 25.0%, P = 0.009; 74.51% vs 29.63%, P = 0.003). The median day to the remission of purulent bloody stool of the study group was significantly less than that of control group [11 (1, 64) vs 19 (2, 67), P = 0.007]. The patients receiving QCS had a significantly higher mucosa healing rate at week 4 than the patients receiving SASP suppository (71.42% vs 52.85%, P = 0.023). No adverse event occurred in the study group while the adverse events incidence of the control group was 5.7% (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: QCS could induce the remission of UP as effectively and safely as SASP suppository, and was superior to SASP suppository in relieving the symptoms of tenesmus, anal burning sensation and purulent bloody stool and the time to reach mucosa healing.

Application of multiple empirical kernel mapping ensemble classifier based on self-paced learning in ultrasound-based computer-aided diagnosis for breast cancer / 生物医学工程学杂志

Both feature representation and classifier performance are important factors that determine the performance of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems. In order to improve the performance of ultrasound-based CAD for breast cancers, a novel multiple empirical kernel mapping (MEKM) exclusivity regularized machine (ERM) ensemble classifier algorithm based on self-paced learning (SPL) is proposed, which simultaneously promotes the performance of both feature representation and the classifier. The proposed algorithm first generates multiple groups of features by MEKM to enhance the ability of feature representation, which also work as the kernel transform in multiple support vector machines embedded in ERM. The SPL strategy is then adopted to adaptively select samples from easy to hard so as to gradually train the ERM classifier model with improved performance. This algorithm is verified on a B-mode ultrasound dataset and an elastography ultrasound dataset, respectively. The results show that the classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity on B-mode ultrasound are (86.36±6.45)%, (88.15±7.12)%, and (84.52±9.38)%, respectively, and the classification accuracy, sensitivity and specificity on elastography ultrasound are (85.97±3.75)%, (85.93±6.09)%, and (86.03±5.88)%, respectively. It indicates that the proposed algorithm can effectively improve the performance of ultrasound-based CAD for breast cancers with the potential for application.

Portal 125I seed stent implantation combined with drug-loaded microsphere embolization for the treatment of HCC: initial results in 7 patients / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of portal 125I seed stent implantation combined with doxorubicin-eluting beads transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTF).Methods Prospective single-arm study was designed.Seven HCC patients with MPVTT were sequentially enrolled in this study to receive treatment.Portal pressure before and after portal vein stent implantation were determined,the liver function were tested before and 1-3 days,4 days,5-7 days after portal vein stent implantation,the results and the postoperative complications were analyzed.Results All 7 patients were in BCLC-C stage,with Child-Pugh classification being A-B level.All patients were diagnosed as massive type HCC complicated by portal vein tumor thrombus.The lesions were located in hepatic left lobe (n=l) and hepatic right lobe (n=6),tumor thrombus in left branch of portal vein was seen in one patient and tumor thrombus in right branch of portal vein was found in 6 patients,MPVTT was observed in all 7 patients.Portal 125I seed stent implantation plus DEB-TACE was successfully accomplished in all 7 patients.The portal pressure before and after stent implantation was 15.3 cmH2O and 10.2 cmH2O respectively,the postoperative pressure showed an obvious reduction.After stent implantation,a transient elevation of the serum total bilirubin (TB),alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) could be observed,which gradually decreased in 3-4 days;the recovery of TB level was slower than that of ALT and AST levels.Two patients had concomitant myocardial damage,which was gradually recovered in 2-3 days.Conclusion For the treatment of HCC associated with MPVTT,portal 125I seed stent implantation plus DEB-TACE is safe and feasible,although its long-term curative effect needs to be further clarified.

Tongxie Yaofang inhibits the contraction of colonic smooth muscle isolated from rats through a mechanism related to calcium mobilization / 中西医结合学报

Objective: To study the relationship between the inhibitory effects of Tongxie Yaofang, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on the contraction of the colonic smooth muscle isolated from rats and calcium mobilization. Methods: By measuring the tension of the isolated colonic smooth muscle strips, the inhibitory effects of Tongxie Yaofang on the contraction induced by acetylcholine (ACh), KCl and exhausting Ca(2+) of internal calcium store were assessed respectively. Results: Tongxie Yaofang could concentration-dependently inhibit the contraction of isolated rat colonic smooth muscle strips induced by KCl and exhausting the Ca(2+) of internal calcium store. Tongxie Yaofang could also inhibit the tension of the second contractile phase induced by ACh (P<0.01, vs control), but had no influence on the first contractile phase. Conclusion: Tongxie Yaofang can inhibit the contraction of isolated rat colonic smooth muscle strips mainly by preventing the influx of extracellular Ca(2+), which may be associated with blocking voltage-dependent channel, store-operated channel and receptor-operated channel, but not by preventing the release of internal Ca(2+) from calcium store.