Objective: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) in combination with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A total of 80 elderly patients with I～IV stage NSCLC were randomly divided into two groups. The 40 patients in the therapeutic group received radiotherapy in combination with APS. The 40 patients in the control group received radiotherapy alone. Both groups received 3D-CRT with a total dose of 50～ 70Gy, 2.0Gy/fraction, once a day, 5 times per week. The patients in the therapeutic group were treated with radiotherapy combined with injection of APS (250mg in 5% glucose) or normal saline (500 mL) intravenously once a day until the end of radiotherapy. The short-term efficacy and patients' quality of life were evaluated. The T-lymphocyte subpopulation and peripheral blood leukocyte count were also measured after treatment. Results: The short-term effective rates of the therapeutic group and the control group were 87.5% and 72.5%, respectively, without significant difference between the two groups (P＞0.05). The decrease of peripheral blood leukocyte count after treatment in the control group was significant (P＜0.05). In the therapeutic group, the T-lymphocyte subsets CD8 and CD4/CD8 were improved after treatment, with a significant difference (P＜ 0.05). But in the control group, no significant changes in T-lymphocyte subsets CD8 and CD4/CD8 were observed after treatment (P＞0.05). Patients' quality of life in the therapeutic group was superior to that in the control group, with a significant difference (P＜0.05). Conclusion: APS in combination with 3D-CRT can reduce the side effects of radiation and improve the quality of life of elderly patients with NSCLC.

Objective To assess the feasibility and curative effects of laser surgery in treatment of early-stage glottic carcinoma under self-retaining laryngoscope with nasal endoscopic assistance.Methods Thirteen cases of glottic carcinoma(TisN0M0:2 cases;T1aN0M0:7 cases;T1bN0M0:3 cases;T2N0M0:1 case) extirpated with Nd:YAG laser or Diomed laser from June 1999 to March 2003 were retrospectively analyzed.Because of the poor glottic exposure with self-retaining laryngoscope under general anesthesia,various angular nasal endoscopes were used.The tumor was distinctly displayed on monitor screen with nasal endoscopic assistance and were completely removed through vapourization or removed with Nd:YAG laser or Diomed laser.Results The follow-up period was three to five years.Two patients were found to have local recurrence.One patient received treatment with Nd:YAG laser surgery under electronic laryngoscope with local and superfacial anesthesia,and the patient was followed up for three years without showing recurrence.The other patient underwent vertical hemilaryngectomy and was followed up for three and half years without showing recurrence.All 13 cases were followed up for three years,and all of them were alive.Three-year survival rate was 100%(13/13).When they were followed up for five years,one patient lost track(counted as death),therefore the five-year survival rate was 92.3%(12/13).Conclusions With the assistance of various angular nasal endoscope,the glottic tumors can be exposed distinctly under self-retaining laryngoscope and removed completely.Nd:YAG laser or Diomed laser is an effective and safe procedure with minimal invasion for the treatment of early-stage glottic carcinoma.The advantages of this technique include lower complication rate and high rate of preservation of laryngeal functions,avoidance of tracheotomy and the sequela of laryngeal fissure.

Objective To establish rat models of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) induced by different methods,to assess the serum levels of several related hormones,to examine the morphological changes in the ovaries,and to discuss their significance.Methods Letrozol,sodium prasterone sulfate,or sodium prasterone sulfate combined with human chorionic gonadotropin were used to establish rat models of PCOS.Radioimmunoassay was used to measure the serum levels of hteinizing hormone(LH),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),estrogen(E_2),progesterone(P),testosterone(T),prolactin(PRL),and insulin(INS).HE staining was used to examine the morphological changes of the ovaries.Results Comparing with the normal group A,the serum FSH was increased and the serum progesterone was reduced in the group B,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The serum testosterone was significantly higher in the group B than in the group A(P<0.01).The levels of serum sex hormones and insulin were not significantly different in the group D and C(P>0.05).In comparison with the group C,the levels of serum testosterone and LH/FSH ratio was significantly increased in the group E.(P<0.05).Comparing with the group D,the serum levels of progesterone and testosterone were significantly increased in the group E(P<0.05).The ovaries in the rats of groups A and C showed almost a normal histyology,with mature follicles and dominant follicles.Polycystic changes were observed only in the ovaries of groups B,D and E.Conclusion At the aspect of affecting the level of sex hormones in serum and changing the ovarian morphology.adopting letrozol tablets or sodium prasterone sulfate combined with HCG to induce rat PCO model is more close to clinic manifestations and meets the criteria of PCO animals.In the rat PCOS models induced with letrozol or with sodium prasterone sulfate combined with HCG,either the serum levels of sex hormones and ovarian histology are quite similar to those of human clinical appearance,and may well meet the modeling requirements for future experimental studies of polycystic ovary syndrome.