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 evaluate the efficacy and safety of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in the treatment of large airway obstruction.

METHODSTotally 389 patients with treacheobronchial stenosis were treated with APC (ARCO3000 type) by bronchoscopy. The stenoses were caused by carcinomas (203 cases, 52.2%), metastatic tumors (67 cases, 17.2%), benign tumors (18 cases, 4.6%), granulomas (93 cases, 23.9%) and other lesions (8 cases, 2.1%). The rate of recanalization, relief of the symptoms, and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS1121 times of APC treatment were performed in the 389 patients. Complete recanalization was achieved in 138 cases (35.5%), partial in 143 (36.8%), mild in 55 (14.1%) and none in 53 (13.6%). The major complications included: super-ventricular tachycardia in 136 cases (34.9%), bleeding in 51 (13.1%), decrease in blood oxygen saturation in 48 (12.3%), asphyxia in 33 (8.5%), ventricular or super-ventricular arrhythmia in 24 (6.2%), short-term aggravation of airway obstruction in 18 (4.6%), and tracheal perforation in 3 (0.78%). All those complications were treated with various measures and no patient died of the complications during the procedure.

CONCLUSIONArgon plasma coagulation is effective and relatively safe in relieving the obstruction and dyspnea in patients with large airway obstruction caused by various reasons. However, for the patients with severe airway obstruction, argon plasma coagulation sometimes may cause severe or even lethal complications. Critical consideration of the indication, operators' skill and taking more precautions during the procedure are required to ensure the safety of argon plasma coagulation treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Argon ; therapeutic use ; Bronchial Diseases ; etiology ; surgery ; Bronchial Neoplasms ; complications ; Bronchoscopy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Electrocoagulation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tracheal Neoplasms ; complications ; Tracheal Stenosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDA satisfactory animal model of breast cancer metastasizing to bone is unavailable. In this study, we used human breast cancer stem-like cells and human bone to build a novel "human-source" model of human breast cancer skeletal metastasis.

METHODSHuman breast cancer stem-like cells, the CD44+/CD24-/lower subpopulation, was separated and cultured. Before injection with the stem-like cells, mice were implanted with human bone in the right or left dorsal flanks. Animals in Groups A, B, and C were injected with 1 x 10(5), 1 x 10(6) human breast cancer stem-like cells, and 1 x 10(6) parental MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively. A positive control group (D) without implantation of human bone was also injected with 1 x 10(6) MDA-MB-231 cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed for determination of CD34, CD105, smooth muscle antibody, CD44, CD24, cytokine, CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4), and osteopontin (OPN). mRNA levels of CD44, CD24, CXCR4, and OPN in bone metastasis tissues were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTSOur results demonstrated that cells in implanted human bones of group B, which received 1 x 10(6) cancer stem-like cells, stained strongly positive for CD44, CXCR4, and OPN, whereas those of other groups showed no or minimum staining. Moreover, group B had the highest incidence of human bone metastasis (77.8%, P = 0.0230) and no accompaniment of other tissue metastasis. The real-time PCR showed an increase of CD44, CXCR4, and OPN mRNA in metastatic bone tissues in group B compared with those of groups C and D, however the expression of CD24 mRNA in group B were the lowest.

CONCLUSIONSIn the novel "human source" model of breast cancer, breast cancer stem-like cells demonstrated a higher human bone-seeking ability. Its mechanism might be related to the higher expressions of CD44, CXCR4, and OPN, and the lower expression of CD24 in breast cancer stem-like cells.

Animals ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; CD24 Antigen ; analysis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; analysis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; pathology ; Osteopontin ; analysis ; Phenotype ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; analysis