Objective To explore the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC),and to investigate the correlation between a clinical complete response (cCR) and a pathologic complete response (pCR).Methods One hundred and fifty-eight patients with locally advanced thoracic ESCC from 2001 to 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery.Platinumbased chemotherapy regimens were adopted in chemotherapy and a prescribed dose of 40 Gy in 20 fractions,5 fractions per week,was used in radiotherapy.The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method,and pairwise comparisons and univariate prognostic analyses were performed using the log-rank test.Multivariable prognostic analyses were performed using the Cox regression model.Results The pCR rate was 41.1％ in all patients.After the treatment with neoadjuvant CRT,32(72.7％) out of 44 patients with a cCR had a pCR,but only 33(28.9％) out of 114 patients with a non-cCR had a pCR (P =0.000).The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of a cCR in predicting a pCR were 49.2％,87.1％,72.7％,and 71.1％,respectively.The 3-year sample size was 91.The 3-year OS and DFS rates in all patients were 53.9％ and 48.6％,respectively.Patients with a cCR had significantly higher 3-year OS and DFS rates than those with a non-cCR (P =0.012;P =0.026),while patients with a pCR had significantly higher 3-year OS and DFS rates than those with a non-pCR (P =0.000;P =0.000).The multivariate analyses demonstrated that the pathologic response after CRT and chemotherapy regimen were the influencing factors for OS.The most common grade ≥3 acute adverse reaction was leucopenia (34.2％).Conclusions With a high pCR rate and tolerable adverse reactions,neoadjuvant CRT followed by surgery is a safe and effective option for locally advanced ESCC.The cCR rate after CRT is closely correlated with the pCR and OS rates.

Objective To define individualized internal target volume (ITV) for hepatocellular car-cinoma using four-dimensional (4D) CT, and to compare the differences in target volume definition and dose distribution among 3D, 4D and respiratory-gated plans. Methods 4DCT scanning was obtained for 12 pa-tients with hepatoceUular. Gross tumor volume (GTV), clnical target volume (CTV) and normal tissues were contoured on all 10 respiratory phases of 4DCT images. The 3D, 4D and gated treatment plans were prepared for each patient using three different planning target volumes (PTVs): 1) PTV3D was derived from a single CTV plus conventional margins;2) PTV4D was derived from ITV4D, which encompassed all 10 CTVs plus setup margins (SMs);3) PTV_(Gating) was derived from ITV_(Gating), which encompassed 3 CTVs within ga-ting-window at end-expiration plus SMs. The PTV volume and dose distribution were compared among differ-ent plans. Results The PTV3D was the largest in all 12 patients, but still missed partial target volume in 5 patients when comparing with PTV4D. Both the 4D plans and the gated plans spared more normal tissues than the 3D plans, especially the hver. Without increasing normal tissue dose, the 4D plans allowed for increas-ing the calculated dose from (50.8±2.0) Gy (3D plans) to (54.7±3.3) Gy, and the gated plans could further increase the dose to (58.0±3.9) Gy. Conclusions The 4DCT-based plans can ensure optimal tar-get coverage with less irradiation of normal tissues and allow dose escalation when compared with 3D plans.Respiratory gated radiotherapy can further reduce the target volumes to spare more surrounding tissues, espe-cially for patients with large extent of respiratory mobility.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the levels of microRNA-125b (miR-125b) and miR-181c in cerebrospinal flnid (CSF) before joint replacement and postoperative delirium (POD) in elderly patients.Methods Fifty-two patients of hoth sexes,aged ≥ 65 yr,weighing 45-70 kg,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ,scheduled for elcctive hip or knee replacement under spinal anesthesia,were included in the study.CSF was collected after successful puncture to measure the levels of miR-181c and miR-125b by fluorescent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.The patients were divided into POD group and non-POD group using the Chinese reversion of Confusion Assessment Method on postoperative days 1 and 2.Results The incidence of POD was about 28％ in the patients underwent hip or knee replacement.Compared with non-POD group,the preoperative level of miR-181c in CSF was significantly increased (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the preoperative level of miR-125b in CSF in POD group (P＞0.05).Conclusion The level of miR-181c in CSF before joint replacement is related to POD in elderly patients,and the preoperative level of miR-181c in CSF is a risk factor for POD.

AIM: To investigate the effect of rosiglitazone , a peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ(PPARγ) agonist, on the expression of PPARγ, the activation of NF-κB and intestine injury in the rats undergoing ortho-topic autologous liver transplantation ( OALT ) .METHODS: Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group, sham group, OALT group and rosiglitazone (0.3 mg/kg, iv) pretreatment (ROS+OALT) group. The OALT model was established , and the intestinal tissues were collected 8 h after the liver reperfusion .The intestinal tis-sue sections were stained to visualize the damage .The expression of PPARγand NF-κB in the tissues, the concentrations of diamine oxidase (DAO) and fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2) in the serum and the concentration of TNF-αand IL-6 in the tissues were measured .RESULTS:Compared with sham group , the intestinal mucosa of the rats showed obvious pathological injury after liver reperfusion in OALT group and ROS group , the Chiu’s scores of intestinal mucosa was signifi-cantly higher , and the serum concentrations of DAO and FABP 2 increased ( P<0.05 ) .After rosiglitazone pretreatment , the injury of intestinal mucosa of the rats was alleviated , the Chiu’s scores was lower and the serum concentrations of DAO and FABP2 decreased (P<0.05), the PPARγexpression was obviously up-regulated in the intestinal tissues, the nuclear translocation of NF-κB was reduced and the concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-αwere decreased .CONCLUSION: During perioperative period of OALT in rats , the inflammatory responses are obvious .Furthermore, obvious intestinal injury oc-curs .PPARγagonist rosiglitazone obviously up-regulates PPARγexpression and inhibits the inflammation in the intestines , thus protecting against intestinal injury in rats undergoing OALT .

AIM: To evaluate the clinical effects and safety of surgical techniques in Descemet stripping automatic endothelial keratoplasty(DSAEK)in bullous keratopathy.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 10 patients with bullous keratopathy treated in our hospital from December 2018 to December 2019 in our hospital, including 4 males(4 eyes), 6 females(6 eyes). Descemet stripping automatic endothelial keratoplasty(DSAEK)was performed with every patient. In addition to the conventional surgical procedures, the surgical technique such as the setting of the anterior chamber perfusion tube, the design of the incision, and the peripheral corneal puncture during the operation were performed. Follow-up for 6mo, the recovery of corneal grafts and postoperative dislocations, double anterior chambers, and other complications were observed, including best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), anterior segment optical coherence tomography, corneal endothelial cell count and incidence of postoperative complications.

RESULTS: All patients had smooth surgery, no intraoperative complications occurred, and no postoperative dislocations or interlaminar effusions occurred; postoperative intraocular pressure was normal, and the BCVA was improved to different degrees than before surgery. The symptoms such as tearing and photophobia gradually reduced from 1d after surgery, and completely relieved after 2wk. Corneal stroma edema decreased within 1mo after operation, and the central corneal thickness(596.8±19.11μm)was significantly thinner than that before operation(874.0±58.64μm). During the follow-up period, all patients were stable and the corneal grafts remained transparent, but the corneal endothelial counts were reduced to varying degrees.

CONCLUSION: The application of surgical techniques in DSAEK can significantly reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications, improve the safety of surgery, and has clinical value in bullous keratopathy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEExtraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma (EES) is a rare, rapidly growing, round-cell, malignant tumor that can develop in the soft tissues at any location. This study was to analyze the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of EES.

METHODSClinical data of 18 patients with EES, treated at between Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University between 1995 and 2007, were analyzed.

RESULTSOf the 18 patients, 13 were male and 8 were female, aged from 8 months to 60 years. Twelve (66.7%) patients were between 5-25 years of age. Eight (44.4%) patients had tumors originated from low extremities.Sixteen patients had masses at their first visit. Sixteen patients were treated by the combined modality therapy, and 2 patients were treated by the single modality therapy. The 1-, 3- and 5- year actuarial survival rates were 82.4%, 64.2% and 32.1%, respectively. The presence of metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis and the mode of treatment were prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSEES is common in adolescent. It often manifests as a localized mass. The combined modality therapy is recommended for this disease. The presence of metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis and the mode of treatment are prognostic factors.

12E7 Antigen ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lower Extremity ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Survival Rate ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the change in the distensibility of large arteries and its influencing factors in elderly patients with essential hypertension.

METHODSAutomatic measuring system for pulse wave velocity (PWV) was applied to examine carotid-femoral PWV as an index reflecting distensibility of large arteries. 118 hypertensive patients aged 64 - 83 (mean age 67.12 +/- 10.26) years were included in the study. Of them, 87 were males and 31 were females.

RESULTSPWV of 118 hypertensive patients increased with increasing age (P < 0.001). Multivariate regressive analysis demonstrated that age and systolic blood pressure had the close relationship with PWV (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONHypertension of the elderly could cause reduction of distensibility of large arteries. Age and systolic blood pressure had the close relationship with distensibility of large arteries in elderly patients with essential hypertension.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Carotid Arteries ; physiopathology ; Elasticity ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; physiopathology ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulse

Objective A multicenter, randomized, controlled and open-labled clinical trial was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of recombinant human insulin injection ( Yousilin R) and treated with Yousilin R versus Novolin R for 12 weeks respectively. Results Compared with baseline,the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c ( HbA1c ) at the end of 12 weeks treatment decreased from 10. 77% to 7. 72% ( P ＜0. 05 ) in Yousilin R group and from 10. 33% to 7. 62% ( P ＜0. 05 ) in Novolin R group,2-hour postprandial plasma glucose ( 2hPG ) decreased from 15.49 mmol/L to 9. 72 mmol/L ( P ＜ 0. 05 ) in Yousilin R group and from 15.33 mmol/L to 10. 07 mmol/L( P ＜ 0. 05 ) in Novolin R group, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) decreased from 10. 90 mmol/L to 7. 31 mmol/L( P ＜0. 05 ) in Yousilin R group and from 10. 22 mmol/L to 7.21 mmol/L (P ＜0. 05) in Novolin R group. The changes of HbA1c, 2hPG and FPG from baseline to endpoint in Yousilin R group was similar to those in Novolin R group ( P ＞ 0. 05 ).Furthermore, hypoglycemic events(26. 42% vs 30. 48% ), other adverse events( 13.21%vs 16. 19% ) ,and serious adverse events( 1.89%vs 1.90% )were comparable between Yousilin R and Novolin R groups(P ＞0. 05 ). Conclusions Yousilin R has similar efficacy, safety and compliance profiles to Novolin R group in the treatment of diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the postburn dynamic changes in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal hormones in severely burned patients.

METHODSFifty burn patients were enrolled in the study. The plasma contents of total GC (cortisol), ACTH and aldosterone (ALDO) and urinary contents of 17-OHO and 17-KS were determined with radio-immunological assay (RIA) method after burn injury to compare with the normal values which were well established clinically.

RESULTSThe postburn plasma and urinary contents of the above indices were increased evidently with two peak values in shock and infectious stages, whilst the majority of he indices were lower than the normal values after 6 postburn weeks (PBWs). The values of these hormones were the lowest in dying patients. On the other hand, the values approached normal levels in those patients whose burn wounds were healing.

CONCLUSIONIncreases of the plasma and urinary levels of hypothalamus-pituitary -adrenal hormones in severely burned patients were constantly seen. Burn shock and infection seemed to be the two major factors in inducing postburn stress reaction in burn victims. Abrupt decrease of the hormone levels in plasma and or urine indicated adrenal failure predicting a poor prognosis of the burn patients.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; metabolism ; Adult ; Burns ; metabolism ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothalamic Hormones ; metabolism ; Male ; Pituitary Hormones ; metabolism ; Shock, Traumatic ; metabolism ; surgery ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety between induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by concurrent chemotherapy (CRT) and CRT alone in patients with inoperable thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods Between 2002 and 2015,clinical data of 267 thoracic ESCC patients undergoing definitive CRT based on docetaxel combined with cisplatin were retrospectively analyzed.Through a matched case-control study,85 patients receiving IC combined with CRT were matched to those undergoing CRT alone at a ratio of 1vs.1,according to age,gender,performance status,tumor location,tumor length,and TNM staging as the matching factors.Clinical efficacy and safety between two groups were statistically compared.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to analyze the survival.The log-rank test was adopted to examine within-group differences.The Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis.Results The median follow-up time for 170 patients was 18 months (range,3-72 months).The overall objective response rates in the IC and CRT groups were 74.1％ and 58.8％(P=0.035).The 3-year overall survival (OS) and progress-free survival (PFS) rates in the IC group were 44.2％ and 34.8％,significantly higher than 29.7％ and 15.4％ in the CRT group (P=0.028,P=0.015).Subgroup analysis revealed that patients responsive to IC obtained significantly better OS (P=0.002),PFS (P=0.001),and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS)(P=0.002) compared with the IC non-responder,whereas the distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) did not significantly differ (P=0.166).The incidence rate of grade 3-4 leukopenia in the IC group was significantly higher than that in the CRT group (38.8％ vs.24.7％,P=0.048).Multivariate analysis revealed that age and the addition of IC were independent prognostic factors for OS (P=0.003,0.016).Conclusions Compared with concurrent CRT,IC in combination with CRT can yield better short-term efficacy and longer survival for ESCC patients.The risk of hematological toxicity in the IC group is relatively higher but tolerable.Prospective randomized trials are required to confirm the clinical efficacy and safety of IC for thoracic ESCC patients.