Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of S-1 combined with synchronous three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in the treatment of elderly patients with esophageal cancer.Methods 80 elderly patients with esophageal cancer were randomly divided into control group and the combination group,40 cases in each group.Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy was applied in the two groups with a total dose of DT 60-64 Gy/ 30-32f.Patients in the combination group received S-1 chemotherapy concurrent with the radiotherapy on the first day.S-1 was orally given 80mg/m2 daily after meals from d1 to d14,21 days as a cycle and treated for 2 cycles.Results The total effective rate (CR + PR) of the combination group was 87.5％,that was 62.5％ of the control group,and there was statistically significant difference between the two groups (x2 =6.667,P =0.01).The one year overall survival rate of the two groups was 77.5 ％ and 57.5 ％,respectively,the difference was not significant (P =0.056).The incidence rate of hematological toxicity was higher in the combination group than that in the control group,but the toxic reaction was mild and tolerable.Conclusion The short-term curative effect of S-1 combined with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy is feasible for elderly patients with esophageal cancer,and the toxicity is tolerable.

Objective To explore the inhibitory effects of SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) on hyper secretion of airway mucus in mice with asthma. Methods Forty BABL/C mice were randomly allocated into asthma group, SB203580 treatment group, dexamethasone treatment group and control group (sham-challenged group). Mice in SB203580 treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with SB203580 (10mg/kg), while those in dexamethasone treatment group were injected with dexamethasone (1mg/kg) before provocation. The number of goblet cells in small bronchi of all groups was determined after Alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS) staining. The contents of MUC5AC in bronchoalveolar lavarge fluid (BALF) were evaluated with ELISA asssy. The levels of MUC5AC mRNA expression were determined with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, and gray-scale analysis was done with image analysis method. Results Compared with the normal group, the number of airway goblet cells, the contents of MUC5AC in BALF and the level of lung MUC5AC mRNA expression in asthma group were raised significantly (P

Objective To explore the therapeutic efficacy of a self-made occluder used for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction(BLVR).Methods Two patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in stable phase were selected for the present study.One or two nitinol occluders were placed,guided by brochoscopy,into the target bronchi of the two patients.Examination of pulmonary functions,chest computed tomography,complications,blood gas analysis,and evaluation of life quality with St George's respiratory questionnaire(SGRQ)were carried out before and 7 months after the bronchoscopic lung volume reduction.Results No dislodging or shifting of all the inserted occluders occurred.Only slight proliferation of granulation tissue was found in mucous membrane around the occluder,and atelectasis was observed at the target sites of lung.Before and 7 months after BLVR,ventilatory capacity(VC)of case 1 rose from 3.08L to 3.57L,and that of case 2 was elevated from 2.19L to 2.58L.Forced vital capacity(FVC)of case 1 was elevated from 2.87L to 3.57L,and that of case 2 from 2.60L to 2.58L.SGRQ showed a remarkable improvement of patients' dyspnea with a decrease of scores from 62 to 26 in case 1 and from 48 to 23 in case 2.No evident changes were found on arterial oxygen blood partial pressure(PaO2)in both patients,and no severe complications such as obstructive pneumonia or pneumothorax occurred yet in either case 1 or case 2.Conclusion The present study has demonstrated that the self-made occluder is convenient for insertion with satisfactory stability and therapeutic efficacy.Application of such occluder is safe with few complications,and may serve the purpose of reducing lung volume and improving lung function.

AIM: To observe dose-effect relationship of spinal anesthesia with 0.75% ropivacaine in caesarean section.METHODS: According to the dosage of 0.75% ropivacaine,120 full-term and single-birth puerperants were randomly divided into four groups of 30 people each.The dosage of group Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ were 1.5,1.8,2.1 and 2.4 mL respectively.The sensory and motor block of each group within 30 minutes after the injection were observed,and the hemodynamic changes and adverse effects were recorded.RESULTS:(1) Within 30 minutes after the injection,the intermediate zone of pain disappeared highest block level of group I-IV were T10,T8,T6 and T5 respectively.(2) During the period of the first 30 minutes,there were 3 cases in group Ⅲ(10%) and 8 cases in group Ⅳ(27%) appeared chest distress and dyspnea,and the blood pressure of 5 cases in group Ⅲ(17%) and 12 cases in group Ⅳ(40%) dropped to 90 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa).There were significant difference compared with group IV(P0.05),there were significant difference between group IV and other groups(P

Objective To evaluate the ability of goblet cell in the airway in rat with asthma to synthesize granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF),and the role of calcium-activated chloride channel (CLCA) in the synthesis. Methods A model of asthma was replicated in male BALB/c mice with ovalbumin sensitization. The goblet cells in small bronchi were identified with AB-PAS staining,and the expression of GM-CSF in the same airway was assessed with immunohistochemistry staining. The recombinant plasmid of pIRES2-EFGP/hCLCA1 was transfected stably into the human mucoepidermoid cell NCI-H292. The expression and transcription levels of GM-CSF in transfected cells were determined with immunohistochemistry staining and RT-PCR assay. The non-transfected cell and the transfected cell exposed to niflumic acid (NFA),which was a CLCA inhibitor,were designated as two control groups. Results Positive staining of GM-CSF expression could be seen in the goblet cells of small bronchi. The cells with expression of hCLCA1 showed much higher levels of GM-CSF expression and transcription than those of two control groups. It was also found that NFA could effectively reduce the levels of GM-CSF in transfected cells. Conclusion The goblet cell of asthmatic airway can synthesize GM-CSF,and one of mechanisms is the increased expression of CLCA.

AIM: Niflumic acid (NFA) is known as a kind of inhibitor of calcium-activated chloride channel. The inhibition and mechanism of NFA on the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) were investigated. METHODS: Using [ 3H]-TdR incorporation method, we examined the effect of NFA (at concentration of 10 and 50 ?mol/L) on the proliferation of primarily ASMCs from BALB/c mouse. With confocal laser scanning microscope the [Ca 2+ ]i in ASMCs exposed to histamine was observed, and the opposed effects of NFA and nifedipine on histamine were also checked. Finally the effect of NFA on expression of MAPK in ASMCs was examined by indirect immunofluorescent assay. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the proliferation of NFA group was reduced markedly with dependent concentration. Histamine significantly improved the [Ca 2+ ]i in ASMCs, but NFA and nifedipine showed the inhibition on the effect of histamine. NFA reduced the level of MAPK expression in ASMCs. CONCLUSION: It is demonstrated that NFA inhibits the proliferation of ASMCs by reducing [Ca 2+ ]i and the expression level of MAPK. [

Objective:To explore whether Chinese herbs Astragalus and Angelica mixture(A&A) have renoprotective effects on chronic renal failure in rats.Methods:5/6 nephrectomized kidney in rats was used as chronic renal failure model.Rats were randomly divided into four groups which included sham,Model,A&A and enalapril(Ena) groups.The remnant kidney was harvested after 2,4,8,12 weeks,and levels of serum creatinine(scr),urea and urinary protein excretion were measured using routine biochemical methods.The pathological lesions were observed by light microscope.The expressions of fibronectin(FN) and collagen Ⅳ(Col-Ⅳ) in glomeruli and interstitium were detected by immnuohistochemistry.Results:5/6 nephrectomized rats were presented with the characteristics of increasing scr and urea,persistent proteinuria at the end of the 2nd,4th,8th,12th weeks,respectively.They had increasing size of glomeruli with progressive proliferation of mesangial cells and mesangial matrix followed by glomerulosclerosis and progressive elevated expressions of FN and Col-Ⅳ.Compared with Model group,the administration of A&A could decrease urinary protein excretion for 34%,44%,25%,45% at the end of the 2nd,4th,8th and 12th weeks,respectively(P

AIM: To observe the preventive effect of DNA vaccine based on human calcium-activated chloride channel 1 (hCLCA1) on airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic mice.METHODS: The DNA vaccine was constructed by inserting the hCLCA1 gene into pSecTag-2A, and then BALB/c mice were vaccinated by im. once every two weeks. Serum antibody was checked with the antigen of mCLCA3 by ELISA analysis. Asthma was induced with ovalbumin in the vaccinated mice. The airway pressure time index (APTI), the contractile responsiveness of isolated tracheal rings and the number of eosinophil in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were investigated. Mice injected with pSecTag-2A, saline or normal mice were regarded as control groups. RESULTS: The title of antiserum binding to mCLCA3 in vaccine group was 1∶800 to 1∶(1 000) after three times vaccination. Compared with normal group, APTI, contractile responsiveness and number of eosinophil in vaccine group, pSecTag-2A or saline group were increased markedly (P

Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of Yichuanping capsule (易喘平胶囊) on the airway mucus overproduction in asthmatic mice and its mechanism. Methods: Thirty-two male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, asthma group, dexamethasone group and Yichuanping capsule (YC) group (n=8 in each group). Asthmatic mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin. The number of goblet cells and secretion of mucus were detected with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, and mucus protein MUC5AC mRNA was detected with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTCD*2PCR). Number of total cells and eosinophil in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted with special staining. The contents of interleukinCD*24 (ILCD*24) and ?CD*2interferon (IFNCD*2?) in lung tissue were assessed by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Compared with asthma group, the number of goblet cells, MUC5AC mRNA levels and secretion of mucus in airway were reduced in dexamethasone group and YC group(all P

AIM: To investigate the effects of fluvastatin on the airway remodeling in a guinea pig model of asthma. METHODS: Asthmatic guinea pig model was established by intraabdominal injection of ovalbumin and aluminium hydroxide and challenged with ovalbumin once every other day for 60 days. 30 guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups: control group ( n= 10), asthma group ( n= 10) and fluvastatin plus asthma group ( n= 10) in which fluvastatin was inhaled at concentration of 0.5 g/L 30 min before every challenging. The thickness of airway smooth muscle layers of every three groups were compared after Haematin-Eosin staining by image analysis system. The level of ras mRNA in airway were examined by Dot-blot molecular hybridization. The expression levels of ras p21 were also examined by immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS: The mean thickness of airway smooth muscle in asthma group was (74 27?3 30) micrometer, greater than that of control group [(38 57?3 37) micrometer ( P