Objective To investigate the radiation-induced esophageal toxicities in Ⅲ stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) combined with concurrent chemotherapy, and to find the relevant predictive factors. Methods From September 2006 to October 2007, 37 patients with stage Ⅲ NSCLC were treated by 3 DCRT (60 Gy in 30-34 fractions) con-currently with navelbine and cisplatin (NP). Chemotherapy was given in the first and fifth week. Univariate and multivariate analyses and receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were used to assess the associ-ation of radiation-induced esophagitis and correlated factors. Results Of all the patients, 91.89% (34/37) developed radiation-induced esophagitis, including grade 1 in 11 patients, grade 2 in 9, grade 3 in 14 and grade 4 in none. According to Spearman correlative analysis, the correlative factors included mean esophagus dose (MED), the LETT_(40)、LETT_(45)、LETT_(50)、LETT_(55)、LETT_60)of esophagus.All the 11 factors had good correlation with esophagitis in univariate analysis, while only V_55 was independ-ently associated with esophagitis in multivariate analysis. The ROC analysis indicated that the cut-off point of the curve was 30% with the area under ROC curve of 0.906, (P=0.000). Grade 2 or 3 radiation esophagi-tis occurred in all the patients with esophageal V_55 > 30%, while only in 36% ( 8/22 ) of those with V_55<30%. Conclusions 3DCRT combined with concurrent chemotherapy in patients with stage Ⅲ NSCLC could develop severe esophagitis. Dosimetric parameters (MED, LETT_(40),LETT_(45),LETT_(50),LETT_(55),LETT_(60),V_(40),V_(45),V_50,V_55,V_(60))are related with esophagitis,V_55 with V_55 > 30% being the most valuable predictor.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of Kirschner wires and tension-band fixation through posterolateral minimal incision for the treatment of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children.

METHODSFrom January 2005 to December 2010, there were 62 children (38 males and 24 females, ranging in age from 2 to 14 years, averaged 6.8 years) with Gartland type III supracondylar humeral fractures. All the injuries were caused by falling, and all the fractures were fresh injuries. The duration from injury to surgery ranged from 5 to 20 hours. All the children were treated with open reduction through a posterolateral minimal approach, Kirschnere wires and tension-band fixation were fixed with plaster at 90 degrees of elbow flexion, forearm supination, and palms facing upwards. The kirschner pins and wires were removed after fractures healing. The Flynn's criterion was used to evaluate therapeutic effects.

RESULTSThe operation time ranged from 30 to 50 min (averaged 45 min). All the patients achieved solid union. Sixty patients were followed up, and the mean follow-up time was 15 months (ranged from 6 to 24 months). At the 6th month after operation, 48 patients got an excellent result, 9 good, 3 bad (light cubitus varus with varus angle about 6 degree, without infection on function) according to Flynn's criteria. There were no complications such as procedure-related pin tract infection, iatrogenic nerve and vascular injuries and myositis ossificans.

CONCLUSIONThe Kirschner wires and tension-band fixation through posterolateral minimal incision approach can obtain clearer surgical field, simple in operation, and few wound complications. Therefore, this modified treatment is an effective and reliable method for pediatric displaced Gartland type III supracondylar humeral fractures.

Adolescent ; Bone Wires ; Casts, Surgical ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Male ; Supine Position

Child ; Female ; Heart Neoplasms ; complications ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Intracranial Embolism ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Myxoma ; complications

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of COX-2 and MMP-9 in cervical carcinoma and their clinical significance.

METHODSImmunohistochemical SP method was used to detect the expressions of COX-2 and MMP-9 in 72 cases of invasive carcinoma of cervix (ICC) and 16 cases of normal cervical epithelium remote from tumor (NCE), and the relationship between the expressions of COX-2 and MMP-9 in ICC and some factors relating to clinical pathology of cervical carcinoma such as histopathological grading, lymph node metastasis, stroma involvement and FIGO staging were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSThe rates of positive expression of COX-2 and MMP-9 in ICC were significantly higher than those in NCE. COX-2: 88.9% in group ICC and 12.5% in group NCE, P = 0.000. MMP-9: 94.4% in group ICC and 43.8% in group NCE, P = 0.000. The expression of COX-2 was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and stroma involvement (r = 0.296, P = 0.012 in group ICC and r = 0.257, P = 0.029 in group NCE, respectively). The expression of MMP-9 was positively correlated with FIGO staging (r = 0.329, P = 0.005) and histopathological grading (r = 0.351, P = 0.003). The expression of COX-2 was positively correlated with the expression of MMP-9 in ICC (r = 0.297, P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONThe overexpressions of COX-2 and MMP-9 are closely related to the invasion and growth of cervical carcinoma. The tissue with overexpression of COX-2 has strong invasion ability. COX-2 and MMP-9 have synergistic effect on proliferation, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Detecting the expression of both COX-2 and MMP-9 may be of value in further understanding the biological behavior and predicting the prognosis of cervical carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlations of dopamine transporter gene (DAT) and dopamine D(2) receptor gene (DRD2) to stuttering.

METHODSTo examine the correlations of the 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in dopaminergic gene (C252T, C1804T, and C1820T in DAT gene, and T1054C and C1072T in DRD(2) gene) to stuttering in Han Chinese individuals, a case-control study involving 112 patients with stuttering and 112 gender-matched controls was carried out. Genotyping was performed by a combined approach using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and pyrosequencing.

RESULTSC1804T showed no polymorphism in either the patients or the control subjects and was therefore excluded from the following analysis. The C allele frequency at C1072T site was significantly higher, but T allele frequency significantly lower in the stuttering group than in the control group. The patients had significantly higher CC and lower CT genotype frequencies than the control group. There were no significant differences in the allelic frequencies of C252T, C1820T and T1054C between the patients and the controls, suggesting a Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium at these 3 loci.

CONCLUSIONThe presence of the C allele at C1072T in DRD(2) gene is associated with increased susceptibility to stuttering in Han Chinese, whereas the T allele provides protection against the onset of stuttering.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; ethnology ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; genetics ; Stuttering ; genetics ; Young Adult

AIMTo study the metabolite of stilbene glucoside in the Chinese traditional medicine Polygonum multiflornm in mice and elucidate its chemical structure by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry.

METHODSThe stilbene glucoside was injected into the tail vein of mice. Blood samples were collected from artery in the eyepit. The methanol-protein-precipitated plasma sample was introduced into the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer directly. The analytical column was C18 column (250 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 microns). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-methanol-water-formic acid (15:18:66:1) for ES+, acetonitrile-methanol-water (15:18:67) for ES-. The UV detection wavelength was set at 320 nm. The mass ion source type was ESI. HV capillary was 3 kV. The dry gas was nitrogen gas and the flow rate was set at 318 L.h-1. The ion source temperature was 150 degrees C.

RESULTSThe stilbene glucoside and its metabolite were separated completely under the chromatography condition. The ions at m/z 600 and m/z 605 were detected under positive ion polarity while the ions at m/z 581 and m/z 402 were detected under negative ion polarity.

CONCLUSIONIt was proposed that the metabolite of stilbene glucoside injected in vein was its glucuronide conjugate.

Animals ; Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Female ; Glucosides ; blood ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods ; Stilbenes ; blood ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism

AIMTo observe the effect of vitamin E (VE) on ovarian apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 and Bax and its impact on antioxidant capacity in aged female rats and to study the senility-delaying effect and mechanism of VE on ovary.

METHODSNatural aging female rats were given different doses of exogenous VE. Then apoptosis regulatory protein Bcl-2, Bax expression in ovarian grandlose cells were detected by using immunohistochemical methods and Western blot. The contents of serum total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by using biochemical methods.

RESULTSContrasted with adult control group, the level of Bcl-2 expression in Senile control group was lower and the level of Bax expression was higher (P < 0.01), Serum SOD activity decreased and the level of MDA significantly increased (P < 0.01). Contrasted with senile control group, the level of Bcl-2 expression increased in VE group, the level of Bax expression decreased (P < 0.05), the level of MDA expression significantly decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONVE can regulate apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2, Bax expression and confront free radical damage which contribute to a protective effect for ovarian grandiose cells.

Aging ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Female ; Granulosa Cells ; cytology ; Ovary ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vitamin E ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

AIMTo observe the expression of Presenilin-1 (PS-1) and production of amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) in hippocampus of female senile rats and to investigate the effect of vitamin E(VE) on preventing Alzheimer's disease after menopause.

METHODSThe animal model was established using female senile rats. Experimental groups (n=8) were respectively given different doses of VE(5 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg) per day. The expression of PS-1 in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry, the level of Abeta in hippocampus was measured by Radioimmunoassay, and neuronal ultrastructure in hippocampal DG area was observed using transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSThe expression of PS-1 in rat hippocampus of senile control group was stronger than that of adult control group. PS-1 expressed weakly in three medication groups along with augmentation of dosage. The levels of Abeta were found to correlate statistically with the expression of PS-1. The content of Abeta in VE groups was significantly decreased compared to that in senile control group (P < 0.01). There were some changes in the neuronal ultrastructure of senile rats. Neurons were gradually recovered in VE groups.

CONCLUSIONVE may depress the production of Abeta by regulating the expression of PS-1, reducing neuronal injuries. VE may play a role in neuronal protection.

Aging ; Alzheimer Disease ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Animals ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Presenilin-1 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vitamin E ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of bFGF and PTEN in cervical carcinoma and their clinical significance.

METHODSTissue microarray technique and immunohistochemistry SP method were used to detect the expressions of bFGF and PTEN in 143 cases of invasive carcinoma of cervix (ICC) and 20 cases of normal cervical epithelium remote from tumor (NCE). The relationship between the expressions of bFGF and PTEN in ICC and some factors relating to clinical pathology of cervical carcinoma such as histopathological grading, lymph node metastasis, stroma involvement and FIGO staging were analyzed.

RESULTSThe rate of the positive expression of bFGF in ICC was significantly higher than that in NCE 88.8% (127/143) vs. 25.0% (5/20, P = 0.000). The rate of positive expression of PTEN in ICC was significantly lower than that in NCE 67.1% (96/143) vs. 100.0% (20/20, P = 0.000). The expression of bFGF was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and histopathological grading (r = 0.239, P = 0.004 and r = 0.369, P = 0.000, respectively). The expression of PTEN was negatively correlated with FIGO staging, histopathological grading and lymph node metastasis (r = -0.189, P = 0.024; r = -0.211, P = 0.011; r = -0.321, P = 0.000, respectively). The expression of bFGF was negatively correlated with the expression of PTEN in ICC (r = -0.261, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONThe overexpression of bFGF and underexpression of PTEN are closely related to the invasion and growth of cervical carcinoma. Detection of the expression of both bFGF and PTEN may be of value in further understanding the biological behavior and predicting the prognosis of cervical carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cervix Uteri ; cytology ; metabolism ; Epithelium ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of several factors on the quantity of hypericin in H. perforatum callus.

METHODHigh efficiency liquid phase chromatography and plant tissue culture were applied.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONWhen the ratio of nitro-nitrogen to amina-nitrogen is 3:1, the callus biomass is 1.6-fold and the synthetic mass of hypericin rises. 0.1-0.20 mg x L(-1) mannose improves the content of total hypericin. The addition of PVP or PVPP can promote improvement of the growth and biosynthesis of callus.

Culture Media ; Hypericum ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Mannose ; pharmacology ; Nitrogen ; pharmacology ; Perylene ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Povidone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Tissue Culture Techniques