A fast and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of prodrug of paclitaxel (Pro-PTX) and paclitaxel (PTX) in rat plasma was developed. The plasma samples were subjected to protein precipitation with acetonitrile (0.1% formic acid), and then separated by LC with an Ultimate AQ-C18 column (50 mm × 3.0 mm, 3 μm) and acetonitrile-1 mmol·L^-1 ammonium formate (containing 0.1% formic acid) as the mobile phase. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scanning mode was used to detect the ion responses m/z 983.4→415.2 (Pro-PTX), m/z 854.4→286.1 (PTX) and m/z 808.3→527.2 (Docetaxel, internal standard) by using a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization source and positive ion mode. The method validation results show that the linear ranges of Pro-PTX and PTX in plasma were 2.00-500 ng·mL^-1 (r > 0.99) and 4.00-1 000 ng·mL^-1 (r > 0.99), the lower limit of quantification was 2.00 ng·mL^-1 and 4.00 ng·mL^-1, respectively; the quality control samples with low, medium and high concentrations of Pro-PTX and PTX were within the batch, the relative standard deviation (RSD) between batches were all less than 9%; the relative deviation (RE) was within the range of ± 9%; In the stability test, both Pro-PTX and PTX in plasma were stable under various storage conditions. The method was sensitive, specific, and reproducible, and was suitable for the pharmacokinetic study of Pro-PTX in rats. Animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee of Laboratory Animal Management and Animal Welfare, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No.: 00003552).

Objective To summarize the experience of radical treatment of tetralogy of fallot in adults.Method Between Nov. 1985 and May 2005,115 patients over 18 years of age with tetralogy of fallot underwent total surgical correction.Longitudinal or oblique right ventriculotomy was used to ensure complete release right ventricular outflow obstruction and complete ventricular septal defect closure.Transannular patches were used in 74 patients,right ventricular outflow tract(RVOT) patches in 37 cases,primary closure of right ventricle in 5 cases,respectively.One patient had separate pulmonary main artery and RVOT enlargement.Results Seven patients had residual septal defect and 3 cases suffered from residual RVOT obstruction.Severe cardiac output syndrome occurred in 10 patients and 6 patients died early postoperatively with the mortality rate of 5.22%.Conclusion By careful surgical management,the treatment of total correction in adult patients may result in good effectiveness.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for pulmonary Candida infection in association with mechanical ventilation and analyze the drug resistance profile of the Candida species that cause the infection.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted 114 patients receiving mechanical ventilation for over 48 h. According to the presence of pulmonary Candida infections, these patients were divided into infected group (n=50, 43.9%) and non-infected group (64 cases). Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the risk factors for the infection, and drug sensitivity test was carried out to evaluate the drug resistance of the Candida species.

RESULTSUnivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression showed that the presence of at least two underlying diseases (OR=4.758, P=0.009), frequent changes of antibiotics (OR=6.128, P=0.001), and blood albumin below 25 g (OR=15.829, P=0.011) were the independent risk factors for pulmonary Candida infection associated with mechanical ventilation, and prophylactic antifungal treatment (OR=0.062, P=0.012) was a protective factor. Drug sensitivity test showed that Candida albicans was sensitive to most of the antifungal agents (100.0%), but the non-albicans Candida species were resistant to fluconazol (50.0%) and Itraconazole (38.5%).

CONCLUSIONPoor general conditions and frequent changes of antibiotics are the major risk factors for pulmonary Candida infection in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Drug resistant analysis is helpful in the treatment of the infections.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Candidiasis ; etiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Respiration, Artificial ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the function and clinicopathological significance of RNA-29c (miR-29c) in the carcinogenesis and development of gastric cancer.

METHODSMicroRNA microarray was applied to assess the miRNAs expression profile of gastric cancer. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-29c in 64 cases of gastric cancer tissues and corresponding normal gastric epithelium, as well as cell lines GES-1, BGC-823 and SGC-7901 cells. MTT assay and flow cytometry were applied to detect the effects of forced expression of miR-29c in gastric cancer BGC-823 cells including cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and drug sensitivity. Quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot and luciferase reporter assay were used to explore the targeted relationship between miR-29c and myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1).

RESULTSCompared with normal gastric epithelium, seven microRNAs (miR-374b*, miRPlus-E1212, miR-338-5p, miR-297, miR-21, miR-135b, miR-18a) were significantly up-regulated more than 2-folds, and nine microRNAs (miR-29b-2*, miR-1260, miRPlus-E1241, miR-S1-5p, miR-148a, miR-29c, miR-647, miR-196b*, ebv-miR-BART5) were significantly down-reguated in gastric cancer tissues. The average expression level of miR-29c in gastric cancer tissues was 0.70 ± 0.34 and in corresponding normal epithelium was 1.00 ± 0.06 (P < 0.05). miR-29c expression was related to tumor size, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, Laurén classification, Borrmann classification and Ming classification (P < 0.05). The poorer differentiation degree of gastric cell lines, the lower was miR-29c expression level (P < 0.05). Overexpression of miR-29c in gastric cancer BGC-823 cells suppressed cell proliferation, stimulated cell apoptosis, induced cell cycle arrest in S phase and increased the chemotherapy sensitivity to drug docetaxel (all were P < 0.05). The average expression level of Mcl-1 mRNA in gastric cancer tissues was 3.47 ± 1.34 and corresponding epithelialium was 1.00 ± 0.20 (P < 0.05). The expression level of miR-29c was negatively related with that of Mcl-1 mRNA in gastric cancer tissues. miR-29c directly targeted to regulation of Mcl-1 expression.

CONCLUSIONSThere are special miRNA expression profile in gastric cancer. The expression of miR-29c is closely related to biological behavior of human gastric cancer. miR-29c is involved in targeted regulation of Mcl-1, and may be one of mechanisms of the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Microarray Analysis ; Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Staging ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Taxoids ; therapeutic use ; Transcriptome ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo establish the quality standard of extracts from Rhizoma Zingiberis by supercritical CO2 fluid extraction.

METHODThe extracts were identified by TLC. The total phenols and the 6-gingerol were determined by dual-wavelength UV spectrophotometry and HPLC separately.

RESULTThe recovery of total phenols was 97.7% (RSD 2.0%). The linear range of 6-gingerol is 0.20-2.0 microg, the average recovery was 97.7% (RSD 2.0%).

CONCLUSIONThe method is convenient for a good resolution and can be used for the quality control of extracts from Rhizoma Zingiberis.

Catechols ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Fatty Alcohols ; analysis ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Phenols ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prognostic factors of hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODSThe purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the surgical outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 832 patients who underwent hepatic resection between February 2002 and June 2010 in the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Post-resection prognostic factors were assessed using a univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTSThe overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 92.0%, 70.2% and 53.6%, respectively. The disease free survival rates (DFS) were 90.2%, 61.5% and 40.5%, respectively. The univariate analysis showed that a better prognosis for overall survival (OS) was associated with asymptomatic presentation, small tumor, single lesion, high-grade histological differentiation, no vascular tumor embolus, negative serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), negative serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Child-Pugh class A, no ascites, no/mild cirrhosis, new surgical techniques, no blood transfusion, no regional lymph node metastasis, no major vascular invasion, and no extra-hepatic invasion. The multivariate analysis showed that asymptomatic presentation, small tumor, single lesion, no tumor embolus, negative serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), no regional lymph node metastasis, no major vascular invasion, no extra-hepatic invasion, no/mild cirrhosis, and surgical techniques are independent factors for a longer overall survival.

CONCLUSIONSThe prognosis of HCC after resection is influenced by a number of factors. Therefore, regularly screening and early diagnosis, applying surgical techniques to minimize the liver injury, and preventing the aggravation of cirrhosis are important measures to improve the overall survival of HCC patients. For those patients with high risk factors of recurrence, routine follow-up is one of the best methods to be recommended.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; pathology ; surgery ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; surgery ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Burden ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEWe conducted both quick surveillance and evaluation programs within one week after the novel H7N9 influenza cases had been released by the Ministry of Health (MOH), to get the basic information on H7N9 virus in Guangzhou.

METHODSWe sampled live birds from food markets and the natural habitat of birds to detect H7N9, H5 and H9 viruses. We interviewed workers from both markets and natural habitats. We also reviewed records on pneumonia patients with unknown causes from the surveillance system, to find clues related to the identification of severe pneumonia.

RESULTSWe sampled 300 specimens from 49 stalls in 13 food markets and a natural habitat but none showed H7N9 positive result. A chopping block was detected positive of carrying H5 avian influenza virus, while another 4 specimens including a chicken cage, a duck cage, a chopping block and a pigeon cage were detected positive of carrying H9 avian influenza virus. In the past month, no sick, dead birds or ILI cases among the workers were discovered. 21.2% (7/33) of the stalls did not follow the set regulations for prevention. 10.3% (4/39) of the stalls had the cages cleaned, 4 days after the inspection. 3.7% (2/54) of the workers wore masks and 40.7% (22/54) of them wore gloves during the slaughtering process. 102 bird feces specimens were tested negative on H7N9 virus. No pneumonia cases with unknown reason were identified. From April 3(rd) to 17(th), we found 26 severe pneumonia cases but with negative results on influenza A (H7N9).

CONCLUSIONAccording to the data and information from 1) lab tests, 2) pneumonia cases with unknown reasons under the surveillance system, 3) the identification of severe pneumonia cases, and 4) preventive measures and actions taken by the workers, we inferred that no H7N9 virus or related cases were found prior to April in Guangzhou. However, the risk of H7N9 epidemic does exist because of the following reasons:1) improper market management process, 2) negligent behavior of the workers and 3) potential trend of the national situation, suggesting strategies related to poultry markets management, health education and preventive measures against the avian influenza need to be strengthened.

China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Risk Assessment

OBJECTIVETo explore the characteristics, diagnosis and treatment on traumatic dislocation.

METHODSFrom April 2000 to August 2010, 12 patients with acute traumatic dislocation of superior tibiofibular joint were treated including 10 males and 2 females with an average age of 30.6 years old ranging from 18 to 60 years. According to Ogden classification, 8 cases were the anterolateral dislocation, 2 were posterior-medial dislocation, and 2 were upward dislocation. All patients had swelling in lateral-inferior of knee, fibular head prominent, fibular head pain, floating feeling in head of fibula. One case was treated by conservative treatment, and the remaining 11 cases by surgical treatment.

RESULTSAll patients were followed-up for 10 months to 3 years (means 18 months). Evaluation by Lysholm scoring,the total scores were 95.08 +/- 2.02, involving limbing 4.92 +/- 0.28, support 4.92 +/- 0.28, interlocking 15.00 +/- 0.00, instability 24.58 +/- 0.79, pain 22.50 +/- 1.24, swell 8.50 +/- 0.90, climbing stairs 9.75 +/- 0.62, squatting 4.92 +/- 0.28; 11 cases achieved excellent results and 1 good. Nerve functional recovered. X-ray was no longer dislocation.

CONCLUSIONThe diagnosis of traumatic dislocation is easy misseddiagnosis, surgery is the main treatment method, the prognosis is good.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arthrography ; Female ; Fibula ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Joints ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibia ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of combined hepatectomy with splenectomy on safety of operation for hepatocellular carcinoma patients complied with cirrhosis and hypersplenism and the best peri-operative treatment of these patients.

METHODSClinical data of 177 hepatocellular carcinoma patients complied with cirrhosis and hypersplenism admitted from January 1999 to December 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. Among which, 71 patients received concomitant splenectomy with hepatectomy (splenectomy group), 106 patients only receive a hepatectomy (non-splenectomy group). The safety of operation, complications, liver function and WBC and PLT counts were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference of general conditions, counts of WBC and PLT between the two groups before operation. The counts of PLT at 1, 10, 30 day after operation were (88.4 ± 23.6) × 10⁹/L, (345.3 ± 98.2) × 10⁹/L and (210.8 ± 92.2) × 10⁹/L respectively in splenectomy group, which were significantly higher than that of non-splenectomy group (P < 0.05). The operation time of splenectomy group was (216 ± 105) min, which was longer than that of non splenectomy group (P < 0.05), but the blood loss and transfusion rate had not significantly difference between the two groups. The complication rates of splenectomy group and non-splenectomy group were 11.3% and 6.6% respectively, there was no significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONCombined hepatectomy with splenectomy will be safe for hepatocellular carcinoma patients complied with cirrhosis and hypersplenism as if the operative indication and increase the ability of peri-operative treatment are strictly obeyed.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; complications ; surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Hypersplenism ; etiology ; surgery ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; Liver Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Splenectomy ; Treatment Outcome