Objective To investigate the safety and clinical efficacy of recombinant human endostatin injection (endostar) continuous pumping combine with chemotherapy injection in the treatment of advanced malignancies . Methods 156 patients with advanced cancer were divided into the chemotherapy group (78 cases) and the chemotherapy combined with endostar group (78 cases). The two groups were similar in the tumor types, the neoplasm staging, the KPS and the chemotherapy agents. After two cycles chemotherapy, the efficacy was evaluated according to RECIST criteria and the quality of life (QOL) was assessed by KPS scores. Results The objective response rate (RR) of the chemotherapy combined with endostar group was 39.74%(31/78). The RR of the chemotherapy group was 17.95%(14/78). There was statistics significance in the RRs of the two groups (P<0.05). The QOL of 42 cases (53.8%) were improved, 26 cases (33.3%) were in stable and 10 cases (12.8%) were decreased in the chemotherapy combined with endostar group. The QOL were improved in 30 cases (38.5 %), stabled in 17 cases (21.8 %) and decreased in 31 cases (39.7 %) in the chemotherapy group. There were significant difference between the two groups (P< 0.05). The main adverse reactions were myelosuppression and digestive tract reaction in both groups (P>0.05), and all patients can tolerate. Conclusion The QOL of patients with advanced malignant tumors are improved by endostar combined with chemotherapy which is safe and effective. It is worthy further clinical observation.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the adult urban population of Hezhou Guangxi. Methods One thousand and two hundred urban residents (older than 18 years) from Hezhou Guangxi were randomly selected using a random sampling. All the residents were interviewed. Their morning spot urine were tested to determine albumin to ereatinine ratio (abnormal:≥30 mg/g), and renal function [abnomal: eMDRD <60 ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1] was assessed. Morning spot urine dipstick of hematuria (abnormal:≥1 +) was confirmed by microscopy (abnormal: 3 red blood cells/HP). The associations among demographic characteristics, health eharacteristies and indicators of kidney damage were examined. Results Eligible data of 1069 subjects were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of albuminuria was 7.5%, hematuria 4.8%, and reduced eGFR 3.6%. The prevalence of kidney disease was 14.4% and the recognition was 1.4%. Age (OR 1.022, 95%CI 1.008-1.035), gender (OR 2.249, 95%CI 1.502-3.367), diabetes mellitus (OR 7.422, 95%CI 3.985-13.825) and hypertension (OR 4.397, 95% CI 2.601-7.432) were independently associated with CKD. Conclusions The prevalence of chronic kidney disease is 14.4% and the recognition is 1.4% in adult urban population of Hezhou Guangxi. Independent risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease are age, gender, diabetes mellitus and hypertension which is similar to those in developed countries and domestic big cities.

Objective:To study the effect of matrine on the expression of transcription factor Snail2 in peritoneal mesothelial cells epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1).Methods:Human peritoneal mesothelial cells were stimulated by TGF-β1 and treated with matrine. The experiment was divided into six groups (control group, TGF-β1-induced group (5 ng/ml), TGF-β1+0.4 mg/ml matrine intervention group, TGF-β1+0.6 mg/ml matrine intervention group, TGF-β1+0.8 mg/ml matrine intervention group and TGF-β1+1.0 mg/ml matrine intervention group). The expressions of Snail2, E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Fibronectin and collagen (Col)Ⅲ were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blotting. The protein phosphorylation levels of Smad2, Smad3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 were detected by Western blotting.Results:The mRNA and protein expressions of Snail2, α-SMA, Fibronectin and ColⅢ were up-regulated after being stimulated by TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml) in human peritoneal mesothelial cells, while the mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin was down-regulated. TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml) could up-regulate the protein phosphorylation levels of Smad2, Smad3 and ERK1/2. Matrine (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mg/ml) could down-regulate the mRNA and protein expression levels of Snail2, α-SMA, Fibronectin and ColⅢ after being stimulated by TGF-β1 in human peritoneal mesothelial cells. Matrine could down-regulate the protein phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and up-regulate the mRNA and protein expression levels of E-cadherin with treatment of TGF-β1 in human peritoneal mesothelial cells.Conclusions:TGF-β1 can induce EMT of human peritoneal mesothelial cells. Matrine may inhibit TGF-β1-induced EMT of human peritoneal mesothelial cells by down-regulating the expression of Snail2 through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate the effects of micronutrient supplementation for the elderly on plasma homocysteine level and cognitive function in institutional older adults. Methods: A total of 98 older adults with the score≤11 by mini nutritional assessment short-form aged 65-100 years were enrolled and assigned to either intervention group or control group (n=49 each), with either a package of micronutrient pack or placebo daily, for three months. Fasting blood samples were collected both at baseline and the end of study to detect serum vitamin B₁₂, folate and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations. Global cognitive function was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). The paired t test was used to compare the continuous variables between the two groups after intervention. The relationship between changes in MMSE score and changes in plasma Hcy concentrations was examined by least-squares linear regression. Results: Eighty-two patients completed the study, and 17 patients withdrew from the study due to diarrhea and hospital discharge with the drop rate of 17.3%. Compared to the control group, concentrations of serum vitamin B₁₂ (128.8±34.8 vs 13.3±16.0 pmol/L, P=0.003) and folate (21.1±1.6 vs 0.6±0.5 nmol/L, P<0.01) significantly increased in the intervention group over 3-month supplementation, while plasma Hcy levels were remarkably reduced (-5.3±0.7 vs 1.7±0.3 μmol/L, P<0.01). The incidences of deficiency of folate, deficiency of serum vitamin B₁₂and high Hcy all decreased in intervention group. Although individual item scores in MMSE were not changed markedly, change of total MMSE score in intervention group were higher than that in the control group (1.2±3.0 vs -0.2±2.5, P<0.05). Conclusions The supplementation of the micronutrient pack in long-term care facilities can reduce the incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia, and improve the total MMSE score.