Objective To study the effect of different dose fractionation on overall survival in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). Methods LS-SCLC patients treated with radical combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) between January 2001 and Dec 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the dose fractionation schemes, patients were divided into three groups:conventional fractionated RT (1. 8 -2.0 Gy,once daily), hyperfractionated RT (1.4 Gy, twice daily) and hypofractionated RT (2. 5 Gy,once daily). Overall survival, disease free survival and pattern of failures of the three groups were compared. A total of 177 patients were enrolled, including 63 patients in conventional fractionated RT group, 79 in hyperfractionated RT group and 35 in hypofractionated RT group. Results The overall follow-up rate was 96. 6%. The patient numbers with follow-up of more than 2 and 5 years were 153 and 92, respectively. The median survival time of the entire group was 22. 4 months, and the 2-and 5-year survival rates were 43.4% and 23. 5%, respectively. The 2-year survival rates for three groups were 31%, 46% and 59% (x2 =7.94,P=0.019), respectively. The 2-year disease free survival for three groups were 20%, 31% and 40% ( x2 = 4. 86, P = 0. 088 ), respectively. In the pairwise comparisons,patients in hypofractionated RT group have better survival than those in conventional fractionated RT group ( x2 = 7. 81, P = 0. 005 ), the effect of hyperfractionated RT group lies between the hypo-and the conventional fractionated RT groups, but no significant differences were detected ( x2 = 2. 31, P = 0. 128; x2 = 2. 95, P =0. 086). The mildest side effect was found in the hypofractionated RT group. No statistically significant differences were found in the patterns of first failure. Conclusion The hypofractionated RT scheme showed potential survival benefits for patients with LS-SCLC and should be considered in the setting of randomized clinical trials.

Objective: To study the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides ( LBP ) on blood indexes and liver tissue morphology in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, and LBP low, medium and high dose group. The rats in the model group and LBP dose groups were given 60 mg/kg alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate ( ANIT ) by gavage every three days of the experiment, and the rats in the control group were given salad oil instead of ANIT. From the third day, the rats in each dose group were given 40, 150 and 600 mg/kg LBP, and the rats in the model group were given distilled water. After four weeks, the blood and urine indexes were measured, and the morphological changes of liver tissue were observed. Results: From the third day of the experiment, the activity of rats in the model group and LBP dose groups decreased, and the color of urine changed to dark yellow. There was no abnormality in the group. In the model group, the levels of serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total bile acid ( TBA ), alkaline phosphatase ( ALP ), γ-glutamyltransferase(γ-GGT), cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ), aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ), white blood cell ( WBC ), percentage of granulocyte, urinary bilirubin, urinary bile acid, liver mass and liver to body ratio were higher than those in the control group, while red blood cell and percentage of lymphocyte were lower than those in the control group ( all P<0.05 ). Pathological changes of liver tissue were observed. The levels of serum TBA, ALP, γ-GGT, ALT, AST, WBC and liver to body ratio in LBP high dose group were lower than those in the model group ( all P<0.05 ). The infiltration of inflammatory cells, proliferation and expansion of bile duct, degeneration and necrosis of liver cells were alleviated. Conclusions LBP can improve the blood indexes and pathological changes of liver tissue in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis at the dosage of 600 mg/kg. Inhibition of inflammatory response and reduction of oxidative stress injury may be the mechanism for alleviating cholestatic liver injury.

OBJECTIVE To examine the feasibility of PCR amplification of 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer regions of bacteria in trauma infection by a pair of universal primers for gene diagnosis.METHODS The universal primers were designed at conserved regions of the 3' end of 16S rDNA and the 5' end of 23S rDNA.Bacterial genomic DNA from selected five commom bacteria in trauma infection were amplified by PCR.PCR products were examined using electrophoresis in agarose gel,and futher analyzed by sequencing.RESULTS The PCR products were similar to that we expected on the gel,which were confirmed by the results of sequencing and alignment.CONCLUSIONS Using the universal primers,16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer regions of bacteria in trauma infection could be amplified by PCR,which lays a solid foundation for gene diagnosis in farther studies.

Twenty eight polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients complicated with insulin resistance, whose testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels were normal, received metformin treatment (500 mg b.i.d) for 3 months.Blood anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, endocrine and metabolic parameters were measured before and after treatment.The mean levels of AMH were not significantly changed after 3 months of treatment [(8.4±3.2) vs.(8.5±3.2) μg/L, P=0.148].However, the BMI[(27.6±4.1) vs.(29.3±4.4)kg/m2], fast glucose[(5.32±0.47) vs.(5.55±0.71)mmol/L], fast insulin [(93.3±17.8) vs.(147.7±44.1)pmol/L] and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (3.17±0.71 vs.5.27±1.85) were significantly decreased after treatment (all P<0.05).The results indicate that metformin treatment may not significantly affect serum AMH levels, although it can improve the insulin resistance and reduce the BMI value in PCOS patients.

Acute Disease ; Child ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Liver Diseases ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Measles ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Prognosis ; Rotavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Virus Diseases ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

Objective To analyze the urine trace albumin(mALb)/creatinine(Cr) ratio and blood uric acid(UA),and other various metabolic index level in patients with diabetic nephropathy(DN),combined with clinical data such as patients' age,body mass index(BMI),course of diseases,to explore the related mechanism of occurrence and development of DN.Methods 76 DN patients were selected.The microalbuminuria group(urinary mALb/Cr<300μg/mg) had 46 cases,the clinical albuminuria group(urinary mALb/Cr≥300μg/mg) included 30 cases,another 49 diabetic patients without kidney damage were seleted as control group.The urinary mALb/Cr,blood UA,fasting blood glucose(FBG),triacylglycerol(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein(HDL),low density lipoprotein(LDL),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c) levels were determined.The BMI and the length of the course of the disease calculate.Results The patients' age,course of the disease,urinary mALb/Cr,blood UA,FBG,TC,TG,LDL,HbA1c and BMI level in the clinical albuminuria group and microalbuminuria group were significantly higher than those in the control group,the differences were statistically significant (F=6.18,12.48,141.43,12.48,8.49,4.98,6.18,3.89,3.17,3.89,all P<0.05).The high uric acid hematic disease rates of the clinical albuminuria group and microalbuminuria group were 26.09% and 26.09%,which were significantly higher than 10.20% of the control group,the differences were statistically significant(x2=4.074,24.833,all P<0.05).Urinary mALb/Cr was positively correlated with age,duration,BMI,UA,TG,TC,LDL,FBG,HbA1c(r=0.120,0.299,0.148,0.340,0.157,0.149,0.103,0.487,0.103).Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis suggested that duration,blood UA,FBG were independent risk factors of urinary mALb/Cr;TG,BMI,urinary mALb/Cr were independent risk factors for blood UA.Conclusion Urinary mALb/Cr and blood UA are the independent risk factors,high uric acid hematic disease may participate in the development process of DN,and diabetes duration,UA,BMI,TG,TC,LDL,FBG,HbA1C associated with increased urinary mALb/Cr excretory DN patients,the effective monitoring can improve the symptoms of DN and quality of life.

Objective To investigate the clinical and molecular genetic changes in a Chinese family with oculopha?ryngeal muscular dystrophy(OPMD). Methods We collected the clinical data of the familial members and blood sam?ples from all available 16 familial members, including the proband. The samples were analyzed using modified poly?merase chain reaction amplification and direct sequence analysis. Results Male OPMD patients initially presented with ptosis, followed by pronunciation difficulty, dysphagia and limb weakness whereas female OPMD patients initially pre?sented with swallowing difficulty. Genetic test revealed the abnormal expansions of the GCG trinucleotide repeat from GCG6 to GCG10 in PABPN1 gene in 10 familial members. Conclusions The genetic test and prenatal diagnosis is the key for the prevention treatment of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. The ptosis of eyelid may be the initial symptom for the male patients of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy with (GCG)10 mutation.

Objective: To evaluate the toxicological safety of a compound Chinese medicine preparation of gardenia. Methods: Eighty healthy SD rats with half males and half females were randomly divided into four groups. The low-,moderate- and high-dose group were given 1.00 g/kgbw,2.00 g/kgbw and 4.00 g/kgbw of the preparation,while the control group was given distilled water,by gavage for 30 days. The changes of diet,weight,hematological parameters and major organs of rats were observed,and the histopathological examination of the main organs was performed. Results: The rats in the high-dose group reduced activities and their urine turned dark yellow or green,while the other rats showed no abnormality. No rats died during the experimental period. Compared with the control group,the weight,the total weight gain,the food utilization rate,the fasted weight of the rats in the high-dose group and the hemoglobin content of the female rats in the high-dose group were significantly decreased（P<0.05）;the ratio of liver to body weight,the ratio of kidney to body weight,the serum creatinine levels of the rats in the high-dose group and the serum urea nitrogen levels of the male rats in the high-dose group were significantly higher（P<0.05）. The livers and kidneys of the rats in high-dose group turned different degrees of dark green;the hepatic pigmentation,hepatocyte vacuolar degeneration,bile duct hyperplasia accompanied with inflammatory cell infiltration,renal pigmentation,renal tubular epithelial cellular swelling,and renal interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration were observed. Conclusion This preparation at a dose of 4.0 g/kgbw has hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity to rats. A dose of 2.0 g/kgbw has no harmful effect but less than 100 times of the possible human intake,the safety is not guaranteed.

Objective : To evaluate the health effects of persistent organic pollutants（POPs）on body weight,food intake,internal organs,blood biochemistry,metabolic enzymes and antioxidant ingredients of rats. Methods : Sixteen healthy Sprague-Dawley（SD）rats were randomly divided into the experimental group exposed to 10 mL/kg mixture of POPs（10 ng/mL PCBs,5 ng/mL PBDEs,1 ng/mL PCDD/F）everyday for 28 days by gavage,and the control group exposed to the same volume of soybean oil in the same way. Body weight and food intake of the rats were recorded regularly;blood routine and biochemical indices were detected;liver,kidney,spleen and testicles（ovary）of the rats were weighed to calculate organ coefficients;metabolic enzymes and antioxidant ingredients were detected from livers of the rats. Results : No obviously abnormal symptoms and no deaths were found in both groups. Compared to the control group,the weekly food intake in the experimental group increased more for there was an interaction between grouping and time（P< 0.05）. The ratio of liver to body weight of male rats in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group [（3.87± 0.19）% vs.（3.53± 0.06）%,P< 0.05]. The haemoglobin and red blood cell of female rats in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group[（145.25± 6.18）g/L vs.（154.50± 4.20）g/L;（6.90± 0.14）× 1012/L vs.（7.39± 0.24）× 1012/L;both P< 0.05]. The glutathione-S-transferase（GST）of female rats in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group [（13.37± 1.05）U/mgprot vs.（9.43± 1.08）U/mgprot,P< 0.05]. The cytochrome P4501A1of rats in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group [female：（88.23± 5.81）ng/mgprot vs.（73.85± 5.86）ng/mgprot;male：（96.80± 13.32）ng/mgprot vs.（ 72.20± 2.01）ng/mgprot;both P< 0.05]. Conclusion After exposed to low dose of POPs,the cytochrome P4501A1 increased in all rats,the liver to body weight ratio increased in male rats,GST activity increased while red blood cell and haemoglobin decreased in female rats,which indicated possible body damages in rats.

Objective: To learn the toxicity of Dendrobium officinale flowers to pregnant rats ( P, F1 ) and offspring rats ( F1, F2 ) before birth, so as to provide toxicological evidence for the safety assessment. Methods : The rats were divided into four groups with 20 female rats and 10 male each. The rats in three dose groups were fed with Dendrobium officinale flowers at the dose of 2.0, 4.0, 6.4g/kgbw. After two generation, the F1a and F2a rats were fed with basal diet; F1b and F2b rats were fed with Dendrobium officinale flowers. The body weights and total weight gains during the gestation, the conception rates, the pregnancy rates, the birth weights and survival rates of offspring rats were examined. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the body weights and total weight gains during the gestation, the conception rates, and the pregnancy rates in pregnant rats ( P, F1 ) among the four groups ( P>0.05 ). There were also no statistically significant differences in the survival rates and live birth rates in offspring rats (F1, F2) between the dose groups and the control group ( P>0.05 ). Conclusions Dendrobium officinale flowers did not show obviously adverse effects on pregnant rats ( P, F1 ) and offspring rats ( F1, F2 ) before birth.