Brachytherapy ; methods ; Brain Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Glioma ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Lung Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Mouth Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Survival Rate

ObjectiveTo study the impact of high chromium yeast on type 2 diabetic mice.MethodsA total of 60 Balb/C mice were used in this study.Fifty mice were injected with streptozotocin to induce type 2 diabetes,while the ten mice without injection were in the normal group.The type 2 diabetic mice were divided into 5groups according to their fasting blood sugar levels,including 3 groups receiving high chromium yeast at low [250μg/ (kg· d)],medium [500 μg/ (kg,d)],and high [1000 μg/ (kg· d)] doses,1 group receiving metformin ( positive control),and 1 group receiving normal yeast ( negative control).The yeast or metformin were given through by gastric lavage daily for 15 weeks.Body mass and blood biochemical indexes (fasting blood glucose,glucose tolerance,etc) were determined,and the pathological examination of pancreas was conducted.Results Compared with negative control group,medium dose high chromium yeast group had significantly lower triglyceride ( P =0.043 ),low and medium dose groups had lower total cholesterol ( P =0.006,P =0.003 ),low and high dose groups had higher insulin levels (P =0.011,P =0.002),and high dose group had significantly reduced glycosylated hemoglobin (P =0.027).Pathological examination of pancreatic islets revealed that medium and high dose groups did not develop infiltration of inflammatory cells.ConclusionsHigh chromium yeast may improve type 2 diabetes mellitus.Further studies are needed to confirm the conclusion of this study with an organic chromium control group.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 125I radioactive seeds implantation combined with postoperative chemotherapy as a treatment option for thoracic advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC). Methods A prospective cohort study was carried out between 2000and 2005. According to preoperative CT staging criteria,298 patients in phase Ⅱ-Ⅲ of ESCC, who had were admitted to Oncology Center Surgery of Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and Thoracic Surgery of YanCheng Oncology Hospital, were randomly divided into three groups: intraoperative 125I seeds implantation combined with postoperative chemotherapy (group A, 98cases), postoperative chemoradiotherapy (group B, 100 cases) and surgery alone (group C, 100cases). All patients received radical resection of esophageal cancer. According to pTNM staging criteria after operation, 233 patients in phase Ⅱb-Ⅲ of ESCC were finally enrolled in the study (78 in group A, 75 in group B, and 80 in group C). With 0. 5 m Ci of single seed, total activity of 5-11 mCi and matched peripheral dose in 60-70 Gy, 10-22 125I seeds were implanted into the target of patients in group A under direct vision in accordance with treatment planning system. The validation and quality assessment of radioactive seeds were demonstrated according to CT scan or X-ray imaging. The postoperative complications were observed. The local recurrence of the cancer was demonstrated using CT scan. The survival rate of patients was followed up for 1-,3-,5- and 10 years. Results The satisfied quality assessment of 125I seeds was observed. There was no displacement or loss of seed. The local recurrence in group A, B and C was 11. 5%, 13. 3% and 38. 8%, respectively, with statistical significance (P ＜ 0. 05). There was no significant difference among three groups with respect to complications and 1-year survival (P＞0. 05). However, the overall survival rate 3-, 5- and 10-years was 64.8%,37. 7% and 25. 1% in group A respectively; 63.3%, 36.9% and 24.9% in group Brespectively; 43. 6i%, 25.0%, and 12.6% in group C, respectively (all P＜0. 05). The 3-,5- and 10-year progression free survival rates were 63.5 %, 37.4 % and 15.1% in group A respectively; 62.5 %,36.6% and 14. 4% in group B respectively; 42.5%, 25.6% and 6.2% in group C respectively (all P＜0. 05). Conclusions It is a safe, effective and simple method for intraoperative 125I seeds implantation combined with postoperative chemotherapy in treatment of advanced ESCC, which may reduce the local recurrence and improve survival rates in patients with ESCC.

Objective To evaluate the effect of remifentanil on cell apoptosis during renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Seventy-five male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 220-250 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =25 each):sham operation group (group S),I/R group,and remifentanil group (group R).Renal ischemia was induced by occlusion of the bilateral renal arteries for 45 min followed by reperfusion in groups I/R and R.Remifentanil was infused at 1.0 μg· kg-1 · min-1 via the caudal vein starting from 15 min before ischemia until 30 min of reperfusion in group R,while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead of remifentanil in groups S and I/R.At 15 min before ischemia (T0) and 3,6,12,24 h of reperfusion (T1-4),5rats were anesthetized and sacrificed,and renal specimens were obtained to detect the apoptotic rate and expression of Bax and Bcl-2 protein (by flow cytometry) and mRNA (by RT-PCR).The ratios between Bcl-2/Bax protein and mRNA expression were calculated.The pathological changes of renal tubules were scored.Results Compared with group S,the pathological scores and apoptotic rate were significantly increased at T1-4,and ratios between Bcl-2/Bax protein and mRNA expression were increased at T1,2,while decreased at T3,4 in groups R and I/R (P ＜0.01).Compared with group I/R,the pathological scores and apoptotic rate were significantly decreased at T1-4,while the ratios between Bcl-2/Bax protein and mRNA expression were increased in group R (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).Compared with the baseline value at T0,the pathological scores and apoptotic rates were significantly increased at T1 4,and the ratios of Bcl-2/Bax protein and mRNA expression were increased at T1,2,while decreased at T3,4 in groups R and I/R (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Regulation of Bcl-2/Bax expression and inhibition of cell apoptosis in renal tissues are involved in the mechanism by which remifentanil reduces renal I/R injury in rats.

Objective To investigate the effect of remifentanil on nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) mRNA expression in rats with renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.Methods Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 220-250 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =20 each):sham operation group (S group),I/R group and remifentanil group (R group).Renal ischemia was induced by occlusion of bilateral renal arteries for 45 min followed by 24 h reperfusion in groups I/R and R.Remifentanil 1.0 μg· kg-1 · min-1 was infused until 30 min of reperfusion starting from 15 min before ischemia in group R,while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in S and I/R groups.The animals were sacrificed at 15 min before ischemia and at 3,6,24 h of reperfusion and the kidneys were removed for microscopic examination and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) count and for measurement of NOD1 mRNA expression (by RT-PCR).The apoptotic rate was determined by flow cytometry double staining method.Results Compared with group S,NOD1 mRNA expression was up-regulated,and the apoptotic rate and PMN count were significantly increased at each time point during reperfusion in group I/R,and the apoptotic rate and PMN count were significantly increased at each time point during reperfusion,and NOD1 mRNA expression was up-regulated at 6 and 24 h of reperfusion in group R (P ＜ 0.01).Compared with I/R group,NOD1 mRNA expression was down-regulated,and the apoptotic rate and PMN count were significantly decreased at each time point during reperfusion (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01),and the pathological changes were significantly attenuated in group R.Conclusion Remifentanil can reduce the renal I/R injury by down-regulating the expression of NOD1 mRNA and inhibiting inflammatory response and apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the role of opioid receptors in remifentanil-induced attenuation of renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.Methods Seventy-five male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 5 groups ( n =15 each):sham operation group (group S),group I/R,remifentanil group (group R),naloxone group (group N),and naloxone + remifentanil group (group NR).Renal ischemia was induced by clamping the bilateral renal arteries for 45 min using an atraumatic clamp followed by reperfusion.In groups R and NR,remifentanil was infused at 1.0 μg· kg-1 · min-1 via the caudal vein starting from 15 min before ischemia until 30 min of reperfusion,while groups S,I/R and N received the equal volume of normal saline instead of remifentanil.In groups N and NR,naloxone 0.3 mg/kg was injected via the caudal vein at 20 min before ischemia and at 35 min after ischemia respectively,while groups S,I/R and R received the equal volume of normal saline instead of naloxone.Blood and urine samples were collected from the femoral vein and urinary bladder respectively at 24 h of reperfusion for determination of the levels of serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN),urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT).The rats were sacrificed at 24 h of reperfusion and the renal tissues were removed for determination of nalondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity.Pathological changes in renal tissues were observed with light microscope.Results Compared withgroup S,the levels of serum Cr and BUN,urinary NAG and γ-GT,and MDA were significantly increased,while the activity of SOD was significantly decreased in the other 4 groups ( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ) and pathological changes in renal tissues were observed in the other 4 groups.Compared with group I/R,the levels of serum Cr and BUN,urinary NAG and γ-GT levels,and MDA were significantly decreased,while the activity of SOD was significantly increased ( P ＜ 0.01 ),and the pathological changes were reduced in group R,and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in groups N and NR ( P ＞ 0.05).The pathological changes were similar in groups I/R,N and NR.Compured with group R,serum Cr and BUN concentrations,urinary NAG and γ-GT levels and MDA concent were increased,while SOD activity were decreased ( P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01 ).Conclusion Opioid receptors mediate remifentanil-induced attenuation of renal I/R injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: The most commonly used rod-screw posterior spinal fixation system has some biomechanical drawbacks. The screw-plate system is more preferred for patients.OBJECTIVE: To prepare a new posterior spinal fixation system based on imaging results of distance between two pedicles,radian of spine flexion, extension and the height of intervertebral space of Chinese population.METHODS: The thoracolumbar data of 129 normal people were measured. According to the imaging measurements and relative documents, a device of gear-distraction plate (GDP) for spine reduction and fixation was designed. Eighteen fresh calf lumbar specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups, the test group was fixed by GDP and the other groups were fixed by CD and Steffee plate, respectively. The results of the displacement, strain, strength, stiffness and ultimate strength were measured under the states of vertical compression, flexion, extension and lateral bending respectively, and the results were statistically analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: GDP could meet the need of strength and stiffness of human bodies. It showed superior to the CD and Steffee plate groups in strength and stiffness (P ＜ 0.05), with 13% or 14% torsion intensity greater than that of the CD or Steffee plate groups. The ultimate mechanical performance test showed that, the load bearing of the GDP group was greater than that of the CD and Steffee plate groups (P ＜ 0.05). The findings demonstrated that GDP for Chinese human presented with good biomechanical stability, which can promote vertebrae fracture union and prevent kyphosis relapses or vertebral height loses.

Objective To investigate the relationship between standard CD44(CD44s)expression and tumor stage and prognosis in colorectal cancer.Methods CD44s expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissues and normal mucosa specimens from 74 cases of primary colorectal cancer.Results Of 74 cases,the expression of CD44s in colorectal cancer tissue and normal mucosa specimens was documented in 42% and 16%,respectively.The expression of CD44s in primary tumors significantly increased in stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ than in stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ(39% vs.6%,x~2=8.46,P＜0.01).A statistically significant correlation was observed between the overall survival and CD44s expression(x~2=17.82,P＜0.01).Furthermore,a poor prognosis of CD44s-positive tumors was observed in patients with stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ colorectal cancer(x~2=16.23,P＜0.01),but not in patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ colorectal cancer(x~2=1.34,P＞0.05).Multivariate analysis indicated that TNM stage and CD44s expression were independent predictors of overall survival in colorectal cancer.Conclusion CD44s overexpression is involved in the progress of colorectal cancer and predicting the prognosis.

Objective To develop a gut-brain interaction animal model of IBS which combines multiple factors including behavior, visceral sensation and motility. Methods Setting up a multifactor interactional animal model (chronic acute combining stress model, CACS) based on a chronic unpredictable mild stress model of depression (CUMS) while combined with wrap restraint stress (WRS) , changes of some indexes were recorded including motility (granules of defecating, time of defecating), visceral sensitivity ( spontaneous contraction of abdominal striated muscles ) and behavior/mind ( sucrose consumption, body weight). G protein subunits were measured by Western blot in both hippocampus and prefrontal cortex simultaneously. Results ( 1 ) Compared with the state before stress given, defecating granules increased, defecating time of glassie from rectum shorten, number of abdominal contraction increased, and sucrose consumption decreased in CACS, however, neither significant change was found on defecating behavior in CUMS nor on sucrose consumption in WRS; (2) Compared with the control group, some G protein submits expression decreased in both CACS and CUMS( P < 0. 05 ) , while no significant changes of any G protein subunits were found in WRS. Conclusion The CACS animal model was a new, brain-gut interaction model, which can mimic part of human symptoms of IBS very well.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of esomeprazole in long-term or intermittent treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods Twenty-eight patients with GERD who accepted esomeprazole 20 mg bid for 2 weeks were further divided into long-term treatment group and intermittent treatment group according to the protocol of therapy. Patients in long-term treatment group were received minimum dose that was needed to relief the symptoms for more than 6 months, whereas those in intermittent treatment group were received esomeprazole 20 mg qd until the symptoms completely disappeared, if symptoms relapsed the patients were treated again.The dosage, recurrence of symptoms and the side effects were compared between two groups. ResultsThirteen patients in long-term treatment group were treated for 7-44 months (20 mg daily in 7,twice daily in 5 and every other day in 1). While 15 patients in intermittent treatment group had a good relief of the symptoms. No adverse reactions was found in two groups. The follow-up study of 10-57 months in intermittent treatment group revcaled that the longer the treatment maintained,the longer the symptoms relieved (r=0. 447, P= 0. 008). Conclusion It is safe for esomeprazole in relieving symptoms of patients with GERD by long time or intermittent use.