OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of post-treatment PSA kinetics on the prognosis of prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 114 cases of locally advanced PCa treated by maximal androgen blockade (MAB) combined with brachytherapy, and analyzed the association of the changes in PSA kinetics with the prognosis of the patients.

RESULTSThe median survival time of the patients was 81 (15 - 144) months, with 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates of 91. 23%, 78.07% and 68.42% , respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that the baseline PSA level, PSA nadir, the time of PSA decreasing to nadir, PSA doubling time, and the extent of PSA declining were all predictive factors for the survival time of the PCa patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PSA nadir, the time of PSA decreasing to nadir, and the extent of PSA declining were three independent prognostic factors, which prolonged the long-term survival of the patients by 1.7, 3.2 and 6.8 times, respectively.

CONCLUSIONFor locally advanced PCa treated by MAB combined with brachytherapy, PSA nadir <1 micro g/L, the time to nadir <3 months, and the extent of PSA declining >96% are independent prognostic factors.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Androgens ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Brachytherapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in the redox domain of aprimidinic/apurinic endonuclease/redox factor-1(APEX) gene and the development of sporadic colorectal cancer.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty cases of sporadic colorectal cancers and 143 peripheral blood samples from healthy population were screened for genetic polymorphisms or mutations in the redox domain by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis followed by DNA sequencing.

RESULTSThere were two SNPs identified in the redox domain of APEX gene, namely, 453G to T and 1247A to G. The gene frequencies of 453T and 1247G were 1.3% and 5.7%, respectively, in patient group, while 1.05% and 4.55%, respectively, in healthy population. The genotype distribution at the two sites in healthy population was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was no difference in gene frequencies at the two sites between cancer patients and healthy population.

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphisms in the redox domain of APEX gene are irrelevant to the development of sporadic colorectal cancer, but their distribution may vary greatly among tribes.

Aged ; Alleles ; Base Sequence ; Binding Sites ; genetics ; China ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Neoplasm ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA-(Apurinic or Apyrimidinic Site) Lyase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Purpose To observe the effect of Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1),a necroptosis inhibitor,on the inflammation in unilateral ureter obstruction mice.Methods Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham operation group,unilateral ureter obstruction operation group and UUO + Nec-1 treatment group,and the mice were sacrificed at 7th day after operated.Scr and BUN were measured.The pathological changes in the kidney were observed by HE staining.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression of necroptosis-related indicators RIP1,RIP3,MLKL and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL-1β and MCP-1.Results Compared with sham operation group,the expression of RIP1,RIP3 and MLKL protein increased in the renal tissue of UUO mice,accompanied with increased expression of TNF-α,IL-1β and MCP-1.Nec-1 treatment significantly decreased above-mentioned protein expression in UUO mice,and also reduced renal interstitial inflammation and renal tubal injury according to HE staining.Scr and BUN levels suggested improved renal function.Conclusion Nec-1 could relieve the inflammatory reaction in renal tissue of the UUO mice by inhibiting necroptosis,which may be a new target for the treatment of secondary inflammation.

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in the urinary system of males. The remarkable biological and clinical heterogeneity of prostate cancer poses challenges to the initial diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is an ideal imaging tool for noninvasive interrogation of underlying tumor biology. Recently, there are a variety of molecular imaging paths and radiopharmaceuticals for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. This article reviews the current state and prospects of the application of PET in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Humans ; Male ; Molecular Imaging ; methods ; Multimodal Imaging ; methods ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Prognosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The analysis of poorly conductive samples using discharge plasma is a significant challenge in determining elemental content by atomic emission spectrometry.In this study,graphite as a conductive medium was combined with metal salts and silica to prepare soil sample pellets.A tungsten needle electrode was employed to generate point discharge microplasma with the sample,exciting atomic emission signals of analyte elements.By using Cu 324.7 nm as the analytical line,both the capability to excite atomic emission spectral lines and the impact of experimental conditions were investigated,resulting in accurate determination of trace copper in both standard and real samples.This method held promise for detecting other metals like manganese,iron,and zinc.This work offered methodology for non-conductive sample analysis via discharge plasma atomic emission spectrometry,showing potential for rapid on-site assessment of soil samples.

Objective To explore the direct economic loss caused by healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in general hospitals in China.Methods 68 hospitals were selected,a retrospective 1:1 matched survey was conducted to compare the direct medical cost in patients with and without HAI between January 1,2015 and December 31,2015. Results A total of 2 123 pairs of patients with and without HAI were included in the survey.The average cost of hospitalization in HAI and non-HAI groups were ￥25 845.30 and ￥12 006.14 respectively,￥13 839.16 on average was increased due to HAI.The average economic loss in provincial and ministerial levels of hospitals were￥21 409.83.The average economic loss in different regional hospitals were ￥9 725.42-￥18 909.59,and north China ranked the first.Economic loss caused by bloodstream infection and lower respiratory tract infection were more than other sites,which were ￥23 190.09 and ￥18 194.50 respectively.Conclusion HAI resulted in considerable direct economic loss.Prevention and control of HAI,especially bloodstream infection and lower respiratory tract infection should be paid more attention.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of device-associated infection (DAI)in neonatal intensive care units(NICUs)of tertiary first-class hospitals in China,and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of neonatal DAI.Methods Neonates in NICUs at 17 hospitals of 9 provinces from October 2013 to September 2014 were selected for multicenter study,DAI was surveyed prospectively according to the uni-form diagnostic criteria and methods.Results A total of 12 998 neonates were monitored,the total patient-days were 126 125 d,13 cases of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)and 70 cases of ventilator-asso-ciated pneumonia (VAP)occurred,central line utilization rate was 15.56%,incidence of CLABSI was 0.66/1 000 device-days;ventilator utilization rate was 7.67%,incidence of VAP was 7.23/1 000 device-days.Utilization rates of central line and respirator in neonates with body weight ≤ 1 000 g was the highest,which were 61 .06% and 29.91 % respectively;In NICUs with 20-30 beds,utilization rate of central line was the highest(16.67%),and res-pirator was the lowest(4.11 %);of hospitals in different regions,central line and respirator utilization rate in south-west China was the highest.Of different sizes of ICUs,VAP per 1 000 device-days was the lowest in NICUs with 20-30 beds(2.36 ‰).Difference in incidence of CLABSI and VAP per 1 000 device-days in neonates at NICUs of different regions were significantly different;incidence of CLABSI and VAP per 1 000 device-days was highest in southern China(2.68 ‰ and 31 .06‰ respectively),followed by southwest region.Of different quarters,incidence of CLABSI,and VAP per 1 000 device-days were not significantly different(all P >0.05).Conclusion Device utili-zation rate and incidence of DAI in China are both high,and are different in neonates of different birth weight,at different sizes of NICUs,as well as different regions,monitoring should be intensified,prevention and control measures should be implemented according to infection characteristics.

Objective To evaluate the effect of evidence-based bundle intervention strategy on reducing the inci-dence of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI).Methods Prospective and multicenter study was adopted,patients admitted to 54 intensive care units (ICUs)of 41 hospitals and with central venous catheters (CVCs)between October 1 ,2013 and September 30,2014 were monitored .Baseline data between October 2013 and March 2014 were collected as pre-intervention data;from April to September 2014,the participated hospitals performed intervention strategy,post-intervention data were compared with pre-intervention data.Results The usage rate of CVCs before and after intervention was significantly different (44.18% vs 44.63%,χ2 =5.526,P =0.019).Incidence of CLABSI before and after intervention was not significantly different(RR ,0.82[95%CI ,0.59-1 .13],P =0.10).Constituent ratio of catheter insertion sites between pre-and post-intervention was significantly different (χ2 =76.264,P <0.001),femoral vein catheterization rate as well as proportion of two and above catheter insertion sites after intervention decreased(17.25% VS 13.72%;2.27% VS 1 .44%,respectively);hand hygiene implementation rate and accuracy rate after intervention were both higher than before intervention (79.73% vs 76.14%,P <0.001 ;91 .47% vs 74.26%,P <0.001 ,respectively);constituent ratio of skin disinfectant applica-tion before and after intervention was significantly different(χ2 =3.861 ,P <0.001 ),proportion of chlorhexidine ethanol increased (29.62% VS 50.56%);except daily assessment and record,compliance to other prevention and control measures before and after intervention were all significantly different(all P <0.001);utilization rate of max-imal sterile barrier,qualified rate of dressing of operators,and port disinfection were all significantly enhanced. Conclusion Bundle intervention in intubation and maintenance are implemented effectively,but intervention effect on CLABSI needs further study.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of neutral endopeptidase (CD10) and motility-related protein-1 (CD9) in malignant melanoma and their clinical significance.

METHODSImmunohistochemical study for CD10 and CD9 using Streptavidin-biotin complex technique was carried out in 48 cases of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), 23 cases of metastatic melanoma and 23 cases of benign nevus.

RESULTSThe positivity rate of CD10 was highest in metastatic melanoma and lowest in benign nevus (P < 0.01). In contrast, the positivity rate of CD9 in metastatic melanoma was lower than that in CMM (P < 0.05). The expression of CD9 was inversely correlated with that of CD10 in malignant melanoma (CMM: r = -0.40, P = 0.005; metastatic MM: r = -0.44, P = 0.034). The expression of CD10 and CD9 in CMM also correlated with tumor histology, Clark's level of invasion and presence of nodal metastasis. A similar relationship was also observed for CD10 and CD9 expression in stromal fibroblasts of CMM (r = -0.43, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONSCD10 and CD9 expression correlates with the invasiveness and metastatic potential of malignant melanoma; both factors may demonstrate a counteracting effect. These two markers have potential implications in prognostic assessment of CMM. Stromal fibroblasts may also play an important role in the progression of CMM.

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Tetraspanin-29