Objective To explore the changes and the tendency of breast cancer radiotherapy in China within the past decade.Methods A survey on breast cancer radiotherapy in 1 999 and 2006 was conducted in 4 hospitals located within the southeast coastal region of China,including patients'clinical characteristics,the purpose of radiotherapy and its techniques.Results The percentage of breast conservative treatment(BCT)increased from 3%in 1999 to 13%in 2006.For radiotherapy techniques in 2006 compared with 1999,the growth trend was found in use of breast immobilization devices(80% vs.46%),treatment planning system(70% vs.23%),and CT simulation(14%vs.0).The frequency was increased in the chest wall irradiation after masteetomy(90%vs.67%),but decreased in internal mammary region(30%vs.76%)and axilla(37%vs.69%)treatment.There were no differences in total dose and fractionation prescription.Conclusions BCT was performed more frequently,but postmastectomy radiotherapy was still essential option in China at present.Although some advanced techniques were applied frequently in clinical practice.Simulation,treatment planning,and irradiation target design were urgent for improvement and standardization.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Azo Compounds ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Nitrates ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide Donors ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Piperazines ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic molecular features to predict the prognosis of gastric cancer(GC)and its relationship with immune cell infiltration based on comprehensive analysis of telomere-related gene(TRG)expression data.Methods The survival and prognostic correlation of GC telomere-related gene were analyzed by combining TCGA and GEO database.Two telomere related gene clusters were identified by unsupervised clustering,a prognostic model was constructed based on Lasso regression and multi-factor cox regression analysis,and a nomogram was constructed combined with clinical traits to predict the survival of patients.Meanwhile,risk difference analysis was performed,ROC curve was used to evaluate the prediction accuracy of the model,and immune cell infiltration analysis was performed on the samples.Results A prognostic model containing 12 genes,including HEYL,SPC25,SRPX2,PDK4,LOXL4,SOX15,SLC39A4,MAGEA3,SHISA2,DEFB1,SLC27A2 and C1QTNF5,was constructed to evaluate the prognosis of GC patients.An integrated risk profile was constructed to predict 1-year,3-year,and 5-year overall survival(OS)of GC patients.The survival rate in the high-risk group was significantly lower than that in the low-risk group(P＜0.05),and the proportion of immune cell subtypes in different risk groups was different.Conclusion This study identifies a TRG-derived molecular subtype in GC and develops a new prognostic scoring model,highlighting the potential value of TRG in GC prognosis and immunotherapy.

OBJECTIVETo investigate changes in synaptic and extrasynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) during the development of cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

METHODSSynaptic and extrasynaptic NMDAR channel currents were recorded from 1-day-old rat hippocampal neurons cultured for 1 and 2 weeks with patch-clamp technique in whole-cell configuration and outside-out configuration, respectively.

RESULTSThe amplitude of NMDAR-mediated miniature excited postsynaptic current (Meps(CNMDA)) decreased in neurons cultured for 2 weeks as compared with that recorded in neurons cultured for 1 week, and the 2-week neurons showed also much lowered sensitivity to selective NR2B blocker ifenprodil. The amplitude and open probability of extrasynaptic NMDAR in the 2-week neurons were significantly higher than those in the 1-week neurons, but the neurons differred little in conduction and reverse potential. Ifenprodil decreased the high conductance and open probability in both neurons, but the effect was more potent in the 2-week ones.

CONCLUSIONSThere can be developmental changes in synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDAR channel currents in cultured rat hippocampal neurons, indicating that different NMDAR subtypes are expressed in the synaptic and extrasynaptic regions during the development of the hippocampal neurons. In 1-week neurons, NR2B are predominant both in synaptic and extrasynaptic regions, and at 2 weeks, synaptic NR2B are replaced by NR2A but NR2B still remains the predominant subtypes outside the synapses.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cells, Cultured ; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials ; drug effects ; physiology ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Neurons ; cytology ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Piperidines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; physiology ; Synapses ; physiology ; Synaptic Transmission ; physiology ; Time Factors

To find novel antihepatitis drugs, a series of nitrate-oleanolic acid (OA) hybrids (10a, 10b, 11a-11e and 12a-12c) were designed and synthesized on the basis of previous studies using OA as lead compound, which is widely found in natural plants and liver-specific metabolism. In the present study, ten novel NO-releasing derivatives of OA were synthesized by connecting nitrate to the OA-3-OH through varying lengths of linkers containing antioxidants which were designed to increase the ability of these target compounds to scavenge free radicals. The structures of these objective compounds were determined by IR, MS, 1H NMR and elemental analysis. Their protective effects on anti-Fas mediated HepG2 cell apoptosis were in vitro evaluated by LDH assay. Compound 12a is the most potent inhibitor. Its effect on anti-Fas mediated HepG2 cell apoptosis and amount of NO-releasing in vitro are similar to those of positive control NCX-1000.
Antioxidants ; chemistry ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Nitrates ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Donors ; chemistry ; Oleanolic Acid ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of hepatitis B virus genotype in Hubei province (China) and its clinical significance.

METHODSSerum samples from 190 HBV DNA positive patients with chronic HBV infection,including 52 asymptomatic HBV carriers (ASC), 56 chronic hepatitis (CH), 32 fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), 22 liver cirrhosis (LC), and 28 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients were collected and tested for HBV genotypes by type-specific primers.

RESULTSA simple and precise genotyping system based on PCR using type-specific primers was developed for the determination of genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Of the 190 patients, 140 (73.7%) were genotype B and 42 (22.1%) were genotype C. Genotype B was more prevalent in the FHF and HCC patients than in the ASC patients; the ALT value was significantly higher in genotype B than in genotype C patients. The rate of anti-HBe was significantly higher in genotype B than in genotype C except in the patients of the ASC group.

CONCLUSIONThe system we used seems to be a useful tool for the molecular diagnosis of HBV infection and for large-scale surveys. Genotype B, genotype C and BC combination exist in Hubei province, and genotype B is the major genotype in this area especially in FHF and HCC patients.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; virology ; Carrier State ; virology ; China ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; virology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; virology ; Liver Failure, Acute ; virology ; Liver Neoplasms ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of tanshinol on alleviate the inflammatory injury of lung tissue in rat hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS).

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n = 8), hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) group (n = 11) and tanshinol intervention group (n = 9). HE staining was used to observe the histopathology changes of pulmonary and hepatic tissues, and to count the number of macrophages in lung tissues. The activity of alanine transferase (ALT) and concentrations of endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha) and homocystein (Hcy) in plasma were detected. The concentrations of TNF-alpha, nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the lung tissues were measured, respectively.

RESULTSThickened alveolar septum and increased macrophages were observed in lungs in HPS rat. After administered with tanshinol, the pulmonary pathological changes were alleviated and the number of macrophages in lung tissue was decreased compared with HPS group. The activity of ALT and the concentrations of endotoxin, TNF-alpha and Hcy in plasma ,and TNF-alpha, iNOS, NO and MDA in lung tissue in HPS group were higher than those of normal control group; meanwhile, those tanshinol group were less those that of HPS group.

CONCLUSIONTanshinol may play an important role in delaying the development of HPS through protecting liver or directly antagonizing the effect of intestinal endotoxemia so as to alleviate the inflammatory reaction in lung tissue.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Caffeic Acids ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Hepatopulmonary Syndrome ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Global Health ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; history ; therapy ; virology ; Russia ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti-HIV constituents from the root of Polygonatum kingianum.

METHODThe compounds were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, MCI-gel CHP-20P and their structures were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic evidence including IR, MS and NMR data.

RESULT13 compounds were isolated, of which nine compounds were identified as liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin, 4', 7-dihydroxy-3'-methoxyisoflavone, (6aR, 11aR)-10-hydroxy-3, 9-dimethoxypterocarpan, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde, salicylic acid, n-butyl-beta-D-fructopyranoside, n-butyl-beta-D-fructofuranoside, n-butyl-alpha-D-fructofuranoside.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-6 were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Chalcone ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chalcones ; Flavanones ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygonatum ; chemistry ; Salicylic Acid ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEIn Guangxi province, from 1970s to 1990s, the mortality of primary liver cancer (PLC) ranked the first among a variety of malignant tumors. Investigating the epidemiological characteristics of PLC is very important for developing reasonable and effective treatment strategy, allocating health resources rationally, and evaluating the quality of PLC prevention and control. This study was to analyze the mortality and epidemiological characteristics of PLC in Guangxi province between 2004 and 2005.

METHODSMulti stage stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 9 counties (cities or urban areas) as sample points. The residents' death causes between 2004 and 2005 were analyzed, and the epidemiological characteristics of PLC were investigated.

RESULTSIn the period of 2004-2005, the crude mortality of PLC was 34.39/100,000 in Guangxi province population (55.30/100,000 in men and 13.21/100,000 in women). The national population standardized mortality in 1964 was 22.17/100,000. The man to woman ratio of mortality was 4.19:1. PLC ranked as the first death cause among a variety of malignant tumors, and PLC related death accounted for 30.70% of all tumor related death cases. Age specific mortality of PLC was increased with age, rising significantly from 30 year old (from 25 year old in men and from 40 year old in women), and reached a peak at 75 year old.

CONCLUSIONSThe mortality of PLC shows a decreasing trend in Guangxi province in the early 21st century, and the starting age of PLC death peak postpones about 10 years than that in 1990s. It shows that the comprehensive prevention and control measures of PLC implemented in Guangxi province are fruitful. However, the PLC mortality in Guangxi province is still significantly higher than the national average level, and it still ranks as the first death cause in a variety of malignant tumors in Guangxi province. PLC mainly occurs in middle aged and elderly people. The prevention and treatment research of PLC still has a long way to go.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; trends ; Sex Distribution ; Young Adult