Objective: This study was designed to identify the influence of age and comorbidity on the treatment strategies and survival time of the elderly patients(≥70 years) with advanced (stage III B or IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: The clinical characteristics, treatment strategies and survival features of 127 elderly patients with a good performance status (PS≤1) were retrospectively analyzed. They were diagnosed as NSCLC and received chemotherapy in our oncological department between January 2005 and December 2005. These patients were stratified by age into two groups: 70-74 years group and ≥75 years group; and divided into three groups based on the degree of comorbidity: no comorbidity (0), mild comorbidity (1-2) and severe comorbidity (≥3) groups. Their relationship with clinical features, treatment strategies, and survival time was analyzed. Results: More than 50% patients in 70-74 years group (51.2%) were treated with cisplatin-based combination therapy, while only 20.6% patients in ≥75 years group received cisplatin-based combination therapy (P=0.003). There were 37.0% patients in the severe comorbidity group received palliative radiotherapy, which was significantly higher than that of the no or moderate comorbidity groups (21.7% and 11.7%, P=0.014). In 70-74 years group and ≥75 years group, the 1-year survival rate was 41.4% and 35.3% (log-rank, P=0.319). In no, mild and severe comorbidity group, the 1-year survival rate was 53.5%, 41.3%, and 20.8%, respectively (log-rank, P=0.071). In univariate and multivariate COX model analyses, age and mild comorbidity did not increase the risk of survival, but severe comorbidity was an independent risk factor for the survival of elderly patients with NSCLC; the relative risk ratio (95% confidence interval) was 2.09 (1.06-4.15) and 2.56 (1.18-5.76) (P=0.034 and 0.023). Conclusions: Different treatment strategies should be given to elderly patients with advanced NSCLC according to the age or the degree of comorbidity. Severe comorbidity is an independent risk factor for survival of elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.

Objective: To study the mechanism of hypoxia-induced drug-resistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and observe the effect of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) on the Taxol-induced apoptosis of EC9706 cells. Methods: Small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting HIF-1α was constructed and transfected into human EC9706 cells. Then EC9706 cells were cultured under chemical hypoxia conditions induced by CoCl2, a chemical hypoxia inducer. The expression of HIF-1α in EC9706 cells were detected by Western blot before and after RNA interference. The effect of Taxol on apoptosis of EC9706 cells were determined by TUNEL assay and Annexin V/PI double staining. Results: The expression of HIF-1α protein was induced by CoCl2 75 μmol/L after 4 h, and was significantly inhibited by siRNA-HIF-1α. The apoptosis rate of EC9706 cells induced by hypoxia were significantly higher in siRNA-HIF-1α transfection group than those without transfection or transfected with control siRNA (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Over-expression of HIF-1α inhibited the apoptosis of EC9706 cells induced by Taxol under hypoxia. siRNA targeting HIF-1α increases the therapeutic efficacy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Post-operative recurrence and metastasis remain the leading causes of death for patients with gastric cancer. The major determinants of recurrence and metastasis are the biological characteristics of cancer cells and the immunological status of the patients. In recent years, due to the target-specificity, biotherapy has yielded efficacious responses in diverse clinical applications for cancer treatment, partially for the treatment of recurrence and metastasis of gastric cancer. However, because of the high diversities in clinical manifestations, patients' condition, and tumor's characteristics, there is no ideal strategy of biotherapy established for the prevention and treatment of recurrence and metastasis in gastric cancer. Therefore, a lot of work need to be done in basic research and clinical trial to make the biotherapy effective in treatment of gastric cancer recurrence.
Biological Therapy ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND:Digit ratio is basical y determined within the first 3 months of fetal development. Digit and digit ratio exhibit differences between genders and between left and right hands. Nationality, regional and ethnic difference may also influence the digit ratio. So far, there is no report about the digit ratio of Kazakh adults. OBJECTIVE:To study the characteristics of digit ratio of young Kazakh nationality in Xinjiang of China. METHODS:A total of 200 young Kazakh volunteers in Xinjiang, aged 18-25 years, were enrol ed, including 100 males and 100 females. These participants were subjected to posteroanterior X-ray of both hands. Phalanx length and body height were measured, and the resulting data were statistical y analyzed using SPSS19.0 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The digit ratio of Xinjiang Kazakh people was 3D>4D>2D>5D. Male digit ratio possessed the tendency of 3D:5D>4D:5D>2D:5D>3D:4D>3D:4D>2D:3D>2D:4D;female digit ratio possessed the tendency of 3D:5D>2D:5D>3D:4D>4D:5D>2D:4D>2D:3D. The digit ratio of 2D:3D, 3D:4D, 4D:5D was higher in the male than the female;the digit ratio of 2D:4D, 2D:5D, 3D:5D was higher in the female than the male. Digit ratio had sexual differences, especial y in 3D:5D (P<0.05), and had bilateral differences, especial y in 2D:4D and 4D:5D (P<0.05). These findings indicate that the digit ratio of Xinjiang Kazakh people exhibits a bilateral difference, especial y in 2D:4D and 4D:5D, as wel as a sexual difference, especial y in 3D:5D .

Objective To explore the changes of Nogo-A mRNA and Nogo receptor(Ng-R) mRNA expressions in hippocampus of immature rats after febrile seizures(FS).Methods One hundred and twenty-seven male SD rats(15 days) were randomly divided into control group(immersed in 37 ℃ water,n=40)and hyperthermia treated group(immersed in 44.5 ℃ water,n=87).The latter was further divided into febrile control group(n=42) and FS group(n=45) according to whether seizures occurred or not.Each group was further divi-ded into 5 groups according to different therapies(1,3,5,7,10 times treatment).Then 5 cases of the 8 rats were randomly used to observe the expressions of Nogo-A mRNA,Ng-R mRNA in hippocampus by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Three of the 8 rats were randomly used to observe the changes of neurons and mossy fiber sprouting(MFS) in hippocampus by Nissl and Timm staining.Results 1.No seizures occurred in normal control group.Seizures occurred in 2 rats of febrile control group.In FS group,various seizures occurred such as nodding spasms,tonic seizures,clonic seizures and tonic-clonic seizures,2 rats died of drowning and 3 rats died of status epilepticus.2.The expressions of Nogo-A mRNA,Ng-R mRNA in the immature rats′ hippocampus became up-regulated after the 7th and 10th seizure,significantly higher than those of the other 2 control groups(Pa

0.05). Conclusion:Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr alloy is histocompatible.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Jiaosanxian (JSX, consisted of stir-baked Hordei Fructus Germinatus-Crataegi Fructus-Massa Fermentata Medicinalis) on reducing blood lipid. Methods: The model of hyperlipidemic mice was established by feeding high-fat diet. Kunming mice were randomly divided into six groups: blank, hyperlipidemic, Zhibituo, low-, mid-, and high-dose [100, 200, and 400 mg/(kg·d)] JSX groups, and were continuously ig administered for 28 d. The contents of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in serum and liver and liver index were determined. Results: The contents of TC, TG, and LDL-C in serum or liver were decreased significantly but the contents of HDL-C were increased more significantly in the mid- and high-dose JSX groups than those in hyperlipemic group. The weight and liver index were decreased significantly with the dose increasing of JSX. The lipid-decreasing effects were improved with the dose increasing. Conclusion: These results suggest that JSX has the significant effects on hyperlipidemia. It could provide the experimental basis for the clinical use of JSX for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. © 2013 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines.

This paper mainly discusses how physician - patient disputes are included within scope of the media and become its"focus"of concern.It has revealed in my research that the dual interests of the media,the interests driving of the journalists,the strength of TV (or video) and the audiences are the inherent dynamisms which ehance the media let physician - patient disputes included in its vision.In other words,the physician - patient disputes become the"hot spot"of media attention with the help of the gatekeepers and the audiences.

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of ARB in antihypertensive therapy and judge whether it can also protect cardiovascular. Methods A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study was used to survey over ten thousand patients in ARB clinical practices. The primary endpoint was stroke, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, deadly cardiovascular diseases, total mortal. The results were given comprehensive analysis and statistical processing. Results In LIFE study, ARB was more effective than ?-blockers and ARB had the role of protecting the cardiovascular besides lowering the blood pressure. But the VALUE study showed that ARB was not more effective than Besylate. Conclusion There is no obvious distinction between ARB and the other drugs in reducing the blood pressure.