Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of NAC (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) with docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: Ninety-eight hospitalized patients with advanced ovarian cancer admitted to our hospital between January 2005 and July 2012 were randomly individed into NAC group (n = 48, receiving 2 cycles of NAC with docetaxel and cisplatin followed by cytoreductive surgery and 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin) and the control group (n = 50, receiving cytoreductive surgery and 6-8 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin). The mean blood loss, duration of operation and the rate of optimal cytoreductive surgery betweem the two groups were observed and compared. The side effects of chemotherapy and the survival were analyzed. Results: The amount of blood loss and the duration of operation of the NAC group were less than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The rate of optimal cytoreductive surgery of the NAC group was higher than that of the control group (85.4% vs 48.0%, P < 0.001). The median survival time and the median progression-free survival time were both longer than those of the control group (39 vs 31 months, P < 0.05; 27 vs 20 months, P < 0.05). The side effects of chemotherapy were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The NAC regimen with docetaxel and cisplatin can enhance the rate of optimal cytoreductive surgery, reduce the amount of blood loss, shorten the duration of operation, and improve the overall survival of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Copyright © 2013 by TUMOR.

BACKGROUNDThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and embolization via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries in treating patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma.

METHODSForty-two patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma (study group) were treated via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries after cytoreductive surgery and 7 courses of adjuvant platinum-based combination chemotherapy. Primary cytoreductive surgery was performed in 43 patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma (control group), and then followed by 8 courses of adjuvant platinum-based combination chemotherapy. The rate of optimal cytoreductive surgery, survival rate, blood loss during operation and operative time were investigated in the two groups. Statistical significance was assessed using Student's t test, the Chi-square test and the log-rank test.

RESULTSIn the study group, the rate of optimum debulking after platinum-based chemotherapy and embolization via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries was 71.43% (30/42) (chi(2) = 10.06, P < 0.005), and 9 (21.43%) of the 42 patients showed no gross residual disease after surgery. Blood loss and operative time were significantly decreased in the study group as compared with those in the control group (665.24 +/- 37.61 ml: 849.31 +/- 41.20 ml, t(1) = 33.21, P(1) < 0.001; 4.23 +/- 0.21 hours: 6.15 +/- 0.38 hours, t(2) = 28.92, P(2) < 0.01). In the study group, the mean survival time and the median overall survival were 33.66 months (95% CI, 24.73 to 42.58) and 26.00 months (95% CI, 19.22 to 32.78), respectively. The median disease-free interval was 18.20 months. In the control group, the mean survival time and the median overall survival were 32.38 months (95% CI, 24.92 to 39.84) and 25.00 months (95% CI, 22.80 to 27.20), respectively. The median disease-free interval was 14.20 months. The overall survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups (chi(2) = 6.48, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNeoadjuvant platinum-based combination chemotherapy and embolization via the anterior branches of the bilateral internal iliac arteries is an alternative treatment for patients with advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma, in whom the chance of optimal cytoreductive surgery is low. The treatment can reduce blood loss, decrease operative time, and increase the rate of optimal cytoreductive surgery; but the median survival can't be improved significantly.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; mortality ; therapy ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; mortality ; therapy ; Survival Rate

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM)expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(SCC).Methods The Ep-CAM expression was immunohistochemically investigated in 70 normal esophageal mucosas,SCCs and 72 lymph nodes.Results Ep-CAM expression was observed in 94.3% of the tumors,but no expression in the normal mucosa.The Ep- CAM expression was not significantly different between different tumor scales and tumors invading depths,its expression level was relevant with the tumors differentiation and lymph node metastases(P

Objective To investigate the effect of miRNA-145 (miR-145) on immuno-inflammatory reaction of foam cells by targeting CD40. Methods Mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into model group (non-transfected), miR-145 mimics group (transfected miR-145 mimics), miR-145 inhibitor group (transfected miR-145 inhibitor) and silencing CD40 sequence group (transfected siCD40). Then oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was used to stimulate for 24 h to establish immune inflammatory damage cell model. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot assay were used to detect the levels of CD 40 mRNA and protein of each group. ELISA was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α in cell supernatant. Results Compared with model group, the levels of CD40 mRNA, CD40 protein and IL-1, IL-6, TNF-αwere all significantly decreased in miR-145 mimics group (P<0.01). After transfected with miR-145 inhibitor, the above indexes were all significantly increased than those of model group and miR-145 mimics group (P<0.01). After transfected with CD40 siRNA, the levels of CD40 mRNA, CD40 protein and IL-1, IL-6, TNF-αwere all obviously decreased compared with those of miR-145 inhibitor group (P<0.01). Conclusion MiR-145 can regulate the immune inflammatory process of foam cells through the target gene CD40, inhibit the activation of CD40/CD40L signaling pathway and inhibit inflammatory response.

Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-155 (miR-155) on immuno-inflammatory reaction of foam cells by targeting MyD88 and the possible mechanism. Methods RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured in vitro and transfected with miR-155 mimics, miR-155 inhibitor, MyD88 siRNA and their negative control respectively, then ox-LDL stimulation was given to build foam cell model. The expression of MyD88 in foam cells was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot assay. Moreover, the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-10, TGF-β1 and MCP-1 in supernatant were determined by ELISA. Results After being transfected with miR-155 mimics, the mRNA level of MyD88 remained unchanged compared with that of control group (P>0.05). The protein level of MyD88 decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the expression levels of IL-10, TGF-β1 and MCP-1 in supernatant also decreased significantly (P<0.05). After being transfected with miR-155 inhibitor, the mRNA level of MyD88 remained unchanged compared with that of control group (P>0.05). The expression levels of MyD88 protein and inflammatory cytokines increased significantly (P<0.05). After being transfected with MyD88 siRNA, the expression levels of MyD88 mRNA and protein decreased significantly, and the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines also decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion miR-155 can negatively regulate inflammation by targeting MyD88 through the inhibition of translation.

OBJECTIVETo compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy and safety of the non-addictive propacetamol hydrochloride (Pro-Bufferin) injection and dolantin in a prospective, randomized, double blind and controlled clinical trial.

METHODSAfter the pain intensity was assessed when the patients were undergone thoracic and abdominal selective surgery became fully conscious, 40 consecutive patients with moderate to severe postoperative pain (equivalent to Pain Grade I and II of American Anesthesia Association classification) were randomized into the study against the control groups. The two groups were similar for age, sex, height/weight, disease categories, operation categories, anesthesia methods and duration, vital signs, hepatorenal function, and blood cell count (P = 0.06-0.93). In the study group, 2 g propacetamol in 100 ml normal saline (NS) intravenously with 1.0 ml NS intramuscularly as the placebo control to dolantin were administered. In the control group, 1.6 g mannitose in 100 ml NS intravenously as the placebo control to propacetamol with 50 mg dolantin (1.0 ml) intramuscularly as the positive control to propacetamol were administered. The intensity change of postoperative pain was then evaluated 10 times with visual analog scale and verbal describing scale during 6 h from the beginning of propacetamol infusion. Vital signs and adverse reactions were also documented. After all data were put into the computer, the blinding codes were decoded and the statistic analysis was then made.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference (P = 0.93) about the area under the curve of "Pain Relieve Score vs. Time". The "starting to effect" time (15-30 min), analgesic duration (6 h) and the percentage of excellent or good analgesic effect (90%) in the two groups were the same. Adverse reactions didn't reached the statistic different level (P = 0.35).

CONCLUSIONSPropacetamol HCL injection 2 g intravenously could be an alternative to dolantin 50 mg intramuscularly for moderate to severe postoperative pain with its advantage of being non-addictive.

Acetaminophen ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Aged ; Analgesics ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meperidine ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of the Tinnitus Evaluation Questionnaire (TEQ) in clinical application.

METHODSCronbach's α coefficient was used to examine the reliability of the TEQ internal consistency. Examined the re-measured reliability by the correlation coefficient by two doctors' 1 - 3 hours interval questionnaires' scores. And inspected criteria validity according to the correlation coefficient of the TEQ and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).

RESULTSIn the 202 tinnitus patients, the TEQ Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.76 and re-measured reliability was 0.938. The THI correlation coefficient was 0.769. Among which, 99 patients feel tinnitus alleviated obviously after the treatment, the TEQ scores were significantly lower than that before the treatment (t = 21.42, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe TEQ reflects the severity of tinnitus completely, and has preferable reliability and validity. The characteristics are concise, practical and exact. It is worthy of clinical application.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tinnitus ; diagnosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo monitor the 3-dimensional (3D) morphological changes of C6/36 cells during dengue virus (DENV) infection using a live-cell imaging technique based on digital holographic microscopy and provide clues for better understanding the mechanisms of DENV infection.

METHODSC6/36 cells were seeded in 6-well plates to determine the optimal imaging density under a holographic cell imager, and the morphological changes of the cells were recorded in response to a culture temperature change from 28 degrees celsius; to 37 degrees celsius; C6/36 cells were infected with 4 DENV strains with different serotypes at 28 degrees celsius; and incubated at 37 degrees celsius; for 24 h, and the 3D holograms and relevant morphological parameters were recorded at different time points using HoloMonitor M4 holographic cell imaging and analysis system.

RESULTSThe holograms of C6/36 cells inoculated at the optimal density for imaging (4×10per well) showed unified 3D morphologies of the single cells with minimal dispersions in the cell area, thickness and volume (P<0.05), which did not undergo obvious changes when the cells were incubated at 37 degrees celsius; for 24 h (P>0.05). The cell area and volume of the cells infected with the 4 DENV strains all increased and the cell thickness was reduced during incubation. Among the 4 strains, DENV-1 and DENV-2 caused reduced cell thickness while DENV-3 and DENV-4 increased the cell thickness, and the pattern and degree of such changes differ among the 4 strains.

CONCLUSIONSDigital holographic microscopy allows monitoring of the complex morphological changes of cells during DENV infection. The 4 DENV strains with different serotypes causes characteristic cell damages during infection.

OBJECTIVETo explore different microRNA expression profiles between chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients of Pi-Wei dampness-heat syndrome (PWDHS) and Gan depression Pi deficiency syndrome (GDPDS).

METHODSBy applying gene chip technology, blood samples from CHB patients of PWDHS (3 cases), GDPDS (3 cases), and healthy volunteers (3 cases) were withdrawn and microRNA detected. The microRNA was screened and functional analyses performed by using SAS system.

RESULTSTotally 77 microRNAs with differential expression were screened from CHB patients of PWDHS and healthy volunteers, including 60 up-regulated microRNAs and 17 down-regulated microRNAs. Functions of target genes were mainly associated with transcription factors, gas exchange, adverse stimulating, regulation of enzyme activities, developing of the immune system, and the process of actin filaments. Totally 41 microRNAs with differential expression were screened from CHB patients of GDPDS and healthy volunteers, including 32 up-regulated microRNAs and 9 down-regulated microRNAs. Functions of target genes were mainly associated with binding to nucleotide or chromatin, inhibition and activation of transcription, biosynthesis, regulation of metabolic process, regulation of enzyme activities, developing of the immune system, the process of actin filaments, and IL-12. Totally 6 microRNAs with differential expression were screened from CHB patients of PWDHS and CHB patients of GDPDS, including 1 up-regulated microRNA and 5 down-regulated microRNAs. Functions of target genes were mainly associated with transmembrane transport, regulation of transcription factors, metabolism of hormones, developing of the immune system, the process of actin filaments, regulation of metabolic process, response to exterior stimulation, and so on.

CONCLUSIONThere existed differentially expressed microRNAs (spectrum) between CHB patients of PWDHS and CHB patients of GDPDS.

Depression ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Research ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk perception of heat wave, and further explore its related factors in Guangdong province.

METHODSA total of 2183 adults were selected by a multi-stage sampling method in Guangdong province. Each subject was interviewed in their home with a structured questionnaire by a well trained investigator from September to November, 2010. The questionnaire contained socio-demographic characteristics, heat wave related knowledge, risk perception of heat wave, etc. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were employed in this study.

RESULTSThe average age of total 2183 participants was (39.31 ± 14.16) years, among which 53.37% (1165/2183) were males, and 48.74% (1064/2183) were selected from urban. About 38.11% (832/2183) of participants heard about heat wave, and 38.52% (841/2183) of subjects thought the heat wave had higher impact on their health (risk perception score of heat wave ≥ 5 points). About 81.91% (1788/2183) of all participants thought the weather in most recent years was hotter than several years ago. Among these people, 30.48% (545/1788) thought the main reason of weather becoming hotter was due to emission of carbon dioxide, and 26.51% (474/1788) thought it was due to air pollution. Results from the multivariate logistic regression showed that the risk perception score of heat wave were higher in subjects with higher education (OR = 2.16, 95%CI: 1.41 - 3.30), from urban(OR = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.10 - 1.72), with higher score of trust(OR = 1.08, 95%CI: 1.01 - 1.14) and participants with higher score of heat wave related knowledge (OR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.27 - 1.52). Furthermore, compared to hierarchist, egalitarian (OR = 1.73, 95%CI: 1.30 - 2.29), individualist (OR = 1.93, 95%CI: 1.41 - 2.65) and fatalist (OR = 1.80, 95%CI: 1.41 - 2.29) also had higher risk perception score of heat wave.

CONCLUSIONThere is a lack of knowledge and risk perception to heat wave among the residents in Guangdong province. Risk perception of heat wave was higher in people who were from urban, had higher level of trust on government, experts and media, had higher health-related knowledge score, and non-hierarchists.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Weather ; Young Adult