Objective To explore the short- term efficacy of argon- helium knife cryotherapy followed by chemotherapy in treating advanced non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to investigate its effect on the long- term survival. Methods During the period from March 2005 to March 2008, a total of 61 patients withⅢb or Ⅳ stage NSCLC received argon- helium knife cryotherapy followed by chemotherapy (study group), and other 52 patients with Ⅲb or Ⅳ stage NSCLC were treated with chemotherapy only (control group). The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The pain was evaluated by numeric rating scale (NRS) and the quality of life (QOL) was assessed by functional assessment of cancer therapy- general (FACT- G) scale. The clinical effect was evaluated according to RECIST criteria for solid tumor, and the patient’s survival time was recorded. Results (1) Twenty- six patients had local pain before the treatment, and the pain was relieved in different degrees after cryotherapy. The QOL, including all respects of FACT - G, was significantly improved after cryotherapy in all 61 patients. (2) The remission rate of the study group and the control group was 34.4% and 15.4% respectively, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P <0.05). (3) The median survival time of the study group and the control group was 12.9 months and 9.5 months respectively, and the one- year survival rate of the study group and the control group was 53.6% and 35.4% respectively. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Conclusion Argon- helium knife cryotherapy is a safe and effective local treatment for advanced NSCLC, which can quickly reduce the tumor load, relieve the pain and improve patient’s quality of life. Cryotherapy with subsequent chemotherapy is superior to simple chemotherapy in improving the patient’s survival rate.

G,the noval insertion mutation of c.2298_2299insC is identified in Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVEIn order to accurately reconstruct the acoustic source image, the application of transducer's receiving characteristics in magneto-acoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI) is studied.

METHODSThe conductivity phantom model is built, and the magnetic acoustic signals are simulated and the acoustic sources are reconstructed according to the transducer's receiving characteristics.

RESULTSThe reconstructed image of acoustic source is consistent with the topographic shape and size of the phantom model.

CONCLUSIONMAT-MI based on the transducer's characteristics lays the foundation for further study.

Acoustics ; Magnetic Phenomena ; Magnetics ; Tomography ; Transducers

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of induction chemotherapy plus concurrent radiochemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through a meta-analysis.Methods CBM, CNKI, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMbase were searched for the articles on comparison between induction chemotherapy plus concurrent radiochemotherapy and concurrent radiochemotherapy for patients with locally advanced NSCLC.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the data on short-term outcome and survival were collected.A Meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical effect of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent radiochemotherapy.Results A total of 5 articles were included, which involved 845 patients.The results showed that the short-term outcome and the 2-and 3-year survival rates were similar between patients receiving induction chemotherapy plus concurrent radiochemotherapy and those receiving concurrent radiochemotherapy ( OR=0.875, 95% CI 0.507-1.510, P=0.631;HR=0.770, 95% CI 0.515-1.151, P=0.203;HR=0.809, 95% CI 0.559-1.172, P=0.262), but the patients receiving induction chemotherapy plus concurrent radiochemotherapy showed a significantly higher incidence rate of grade ≥ 3 leukopenia than those receiving concurrent radiochemotherapy alone ( OR=0.637, 95% CI 0.435-0.931, P=0.020).Conclusions Induction chemotherapy plus concurrent radiochemotherapy shows no significant advantages over concurrent radiochemotherapy alone in the short-term outcome and 2-and 3-year survival rates, but it significantly increases myelosuppression.Since there are few studies involving a limited number of cases included in this analysis, more multicenter randomized trials are needed to provide more detailed data and further clarify the clinical value of induction chemotherapy plus concurrent radiochemotherapy.

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of the DNA repair gene ERCC2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 on male idiopathic infertility in Ningxia, China.

METHODSUsing MassArray, we conducted a case-control study and genotyped three ERCC2 SNPs rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 for 351 males (aged 31.0 +/- 4.2 years) with idiopathic infertility and another 327 normal fertile men (aged 33.0 +/- 5.9 years) as controls.

RESULTSThe ERCC2 AnyG-anyA-anyA genotypes were significantly associated with an increased risk of idiopathic infertility (OR 0.414, 95% CI 0.176 - 0.970), while the three single ERCC2 SNPs rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 showed no significant differences between the cases and controls (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe ERCC2 SNPs rs13181, rs1618536, and rs1799793 play a role of interaction in male idiopathic infertility in Ningxia, contributing to the risk of the disease.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; DNA Repair ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein ; genetics

Objective To examine the effects of different pre-treatment nutritional status and inflammatory markers on acute adverse reactions in esophageal cancer patients during concurrent intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and chemotherapy.Methods The acute adverse reactions of 338 eligible esophageal cancer patients who received concurrent IMRT and chemotherapy in our hospital from 2006 to 2014 were reviewed.The effects of different pre-treatment nutritional status, such as body mass index level (BMI), albumin level (ALB), total lymphocyte count (TLC), the presence or absence of anemia, and inflammatory indicators including neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), on acute adverse reactions in the patients were examined.Data were analyzed using the chi-square test with continuity correction and logistic regression analysis.Results The incidence rate of malnutrition in the patients based on their nutritional status was 5.62%-54.14%.The incidence rate of grade≥2 acute radiation esophagitis (RE) was significantly higher in the low ALB group than in the normal ALB group (P=0.000).The incidence rate of adverse reactions in the hematologic system increased as TLC decreased (P=0.006), but the incidence rate of acute radiation pneumonitis (RP) was reduced as TLC decreased (P=0.001).In addition, the incidence rate of grade ≥2 acute RE was significantly higher in the anemia group than in the non-anemia group.Inflammatory marker analysis demonstrated that the incidence rate of acute RE was significantly higher in the high NLR group and high PLR group than in the low NLR group and low PLR group (P=0.000 and P=0.024, respectively).Logistic regression analysis of nutritional status and inflammatory markers showed that TLC was an independent risk factor for acute adverse reactions in the hematologic system (P=0.001), and ALB and PLR were independent risk factors for acute RE (P=0.017 and P=0.011,respectively).Conclusions Nutritional status and inflammatory markers are associated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy-induced acute adverse reactions in esophageal carcinoma patients, and hence may be valuable indicators of acute adverse reactions during treatment.In addition, nutritional treatment and support care should be actively provided to the patients to prevent the development of acute adverse reactions during treatment.

Humans ; Siblings ; Forensic Medicine ; Forensic Genetics

OBJECTIVEN-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) and cytochrome P450 2EI (CYP2E1) play a crucial role in the drug metabolic process. The aim of this study was to understand the genotype and phenotype polymorphisms of NAT2 and CYP2E1 in the Han Chinese pediatric population in order to provide a theoretical basis for individualized drug treatment.

METHODSA total of 341 (211 males and 130 females) randomly sampled Han Chinese children, aged from 2 months to 14 years, were enrolled in this study. Genotyping was carried out by PCR method, and metabolic phenotypes were identified.

RESULTSIn this study population, wild genotype was found as a major genotype in seven SNPs of NAT2, rs1801279, rs1041983, rs1801280, rs1799929, rs1799930, rs1208 and rs1799931. The frequency of NAT2 fast metabolism was highest (61.3%), followed by middle to slow metabolism (34.1%). Wild genotype also predominated in the four SNPs of CYP2E1 (rs2031920, rs3813867, rs6413432 and rs72559720) named as CYP2E1*5, *6 and *2, with a frequency of 61.3%, 60.1% and 99.4% respectively. As the relationship between CYP2E1 genotype and phenotype was unknown, phenotyping of CYP2E1 was not done.

CONCLUSIONSThe important SNPs of NAT2 and CYP2E1 are predominantly wild genotype in the Han Chinese pediatric population. Fast metabolic phenotype predominates in important SNPs of NAT2.

Adolescent ; Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; ethnology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Objective To investigate the regulating effect and mechanism of microRNA-21 (miR-21) on extracellular matrix (ECM) of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by vascular remodeling of hypertension. Methods By narrowing the abdominal aorta in rats, the hypertension models were established and divided into 2-week hypertension group and 4-week hypertension group, and sham-operated group was also established as control. VSMCs from the rat aorta were subjected to 0% (static), 5% (normal) and 15%（hypertensive）elongation strain at a constant frequency of 1.25 Hz and duration of 12 hours, respectively. The expressions of Smad 7 and ECM were detected by Western blotting, and the expression of miR-21 was examined by Real-time RT-PCR. Finally, miR-21 siRNA was used to study the role of miR-21 in the mechanical strain-induced expression of ECM, miR-21 and Smad 7. Results Compared with the sham-operated group, ECM and miR-21 in thoracic aorta of 2-week hypertension group were significantly elevated. Collagen I, collagen III and miR-21 in thoracic aorta of 4-week hypertension group were significantly elevated. Compared with the static and 5% strain groups, the protein expression of collagen I in VSMCs did not show significant change, but the protein expression of collagen III was significantly elevated and Smad 7 expression was significantly decreased in 15% strain group. The cyclic strain also enhanced miR-21 expression in VSMCs. miR-21 inhibitor effectively decreased the expression of miR-21 in VSMCs and protein level of collagen III, while enhanced Smad 7 expression under the static and 15% strain. Conclusions The vascular remodeling of hypertension causes the high expressions of ECM and miR-21. The cyclic strain induces the high expression of miR-21, which via Smad 7 results in enhancing the expression of ECM, collagen III especially, in VSMCs under vascular remodeling of hypertension.

OBJECTIVESome neonates especially premature infants, low birth weight infants and extremely low birth weight infants have limited endogenous energy stores. It is necessary to establish continuous administration of postnatal nutrition. The use of parenteral nutrition (PN) in neonates with immaturity of digestive system and intentionally delayed feedings has gained widespread acceptance. PN has been shown to provide sufficient nutrients to maintain growth in newborn infants. The major complication of PN in neonates is PN-associated cholestasis (PNAC). It remains a significant and frequent clinical problem for neonatal practitioners. In some cases, progressive liver damage, liver failure and death may become inevitable. In order to analyze the risk factors of the PNAC in neonates and to provide the evidence of safety and efficiency in clinical nutrition support, the clinical data of 612 neonates who had received PN for more than 5 days during the past 20 years were reviewed.

METHODSRetrospective analysis on data collected from April 1985 to March 2005 was performed. The records of 612 neonates were divided into two groups according to the established Nutrition Support Team (NST) in our hospital. Each group included two sub-groups. Seventy neonates of the first group were divided into PNAC group (n = 6) and non-PNAC group (n = 64); these patients were seen between 1st April 1985 and 31st March 1995. The remaining 542 neonates of the second group who were also divided into 2 groups, i.e. PNAC group (n = 12) and non-PNAC group (n = 530) who were seen from 1st April 1995 through 31st March 2005. The incidence of PNAC between the first group and the second group was compared and the associated factors were analyzed. The PNAC was defined when serum level of direct-bilirubin exceeded 1.5 mg/dl or direct-bilirubin greater than 50% of the bilirubin and excluding cholestasis resulted from other diseases.

RESULTSThe total incidence of PNAC in neonates who had received TPN for more than 5 days was 2.94%. The incidence of PNAC of the first and the second decade was 8.57% and 2.21%, respectively (OR = 0.242, 95% CI = 0.088 approximately 0.666). The average gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) of PNAC group were less than those of the non-PNAC group (GA: (33 +/- 5) w vs. (36 +/- 4) w, P = 0.009; OR = 0.827, 95% CI = 0.698 approximately 0.980. BW: (2003 +/- 743) g vs. (2393 +/- 764) g, P = 0.045; OR = 1.001, 95% CI = 0.999 approximately 1.002). The PN duration and calorie intake of PNAC group was longer than that of the non-PNAC group (PN duration: 32 +/- 30 d vs. (13 +/- 10) d, P = 0.000; OR = 1.072, 95% CI = 1.032 approximately 1.112. Calorie intake: [(272 +/- 46) kJ/(kg.d)] [(65.0 +/- 10.9) kcal/(kg.d)] (1 kcal = 4.184 kJ) vs. [(232 +/- 55) kJ/(kg.d) (55.5 +/- 13.1) kcal/(kg.d)], (P = 0.002; OR = 1.066, 95% CI = 1.012 approximately 1.122), but the weight gain in the non-PNAC group had a tendency to increase as compared to that of the PNAC group [(20 +/- 27) g/d vs. (9 +/- 19) g/d, P = 0.175].

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of PNAC was associated with the longer duration of PN, the smaller age at initiation of PN, the higher calorie intake, prematurity and lower birth weight. Establishment of the nutrition support team can normalize the practice of the PN administration and decrease the incidence of the complication with nutrition support. It is a favorable mode and it can provide a safer, more effective and reasonable means in clinical nutrition support. To avoid PNAC, it is suggested that the administration of enteric feeding should start as soon as possible, which may enhance effective contraction of gallbladder and secretion of gastrointestinal hormones, and it is best to avoid high calorie of PN and control the calorie intake under 251.04 approximately 334.72 kJ/(kg.d) [60 approximately 80 kcal/(kg.d)].

Cholestasis ; complications ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; physiology ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Male ; Parenteral Nutrition ; adverse effects