Objective To compare the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone for T3-4 N0-1 M0 and T14 N2-3 M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after induction chemotherapy.Methods From 2002 to 2005,400 patients with stage Ⅲ and Ⅳa NPC were randomly divided into 2 groups :induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy group (IC/CCRT,201 patients),and induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy alone group (IC/RT, 199 patients).Subgroup analysis was conducted for 197 patients with stage T3-4N0-1M0 NPC and 203 with stage T1-4N2-3M0 NPC.Results The follow-up rate were 96.2%, with a median followg-up time of 3.9 years.For T3-4N0-1 M0 NPC patients in IC/CCRT group (104 patients) and IC/RT group (93 patients), the 3-year overall survival, disease-free survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 84.0% and 85.9% (χ2=0.08,P =0.780) ,77.0% and 72.0% (χ2=0.44,P =0.510) ,89.5% and 92.3% (χ2=0.65 ,P = 0.420), and 84.9% and 77.0% (χ2= 1.59, P = 0.210), respectively; For T1-4 N2-3 M0 NPC patients in IC/CCRT group (97 patients) and IC/RT group (106 patients), the corresponding rates were 67.4% and 82.2% (χ2=3.48,P=0.060), 61.5% and 68.0% (χ2= 1.86,P=0.170), 86.2% and 87.0% (χ2=0.57 ,P =0.450) and 66.2% and 75.6% (χ2=2.07 ,P =0.150), respectively.Acute sideeffects were similar except more leucocytopenia in IC/CCRT group than IC/RT group.Conclusions Compared with IC/RT, IC/CCRT dose not improve the overall survival in patients with T3-4N0-1 M0 and T1-4 N2-3 M0 NPC.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of menbranous milkvetch root parenteral solution on insulin resistance of gerontism cerebral infarction in recovery stage.Methods66 patients with gerontism cerebral infarction were randomly divided into therapy group(33 cases) which received membranous milkvetch root parenteral solution and control group(33 cases).Both groups adopted routine treatment at the same time, the period was 20 days. Insulin(Ins), free blood sugar(FBS), total cholesterol(CH), triglyceride(TG), hemorheology and insulin resistance(indicating by index of insulin sensitive) of blood on empty stomach were evalutated before and after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment there was decrease in CH, FBS, FINS in therapy group than in control group(P<0.01 or P<0.05); the clinical effect in therapy group was better than in control group(P<0.01).ConclusionMembranous milkvetch root parenteral solution can significantly decrease insulin resistance, blood lipin, blood viscosity in recovery stage of gerontism cerebral infarction, and improve clinical efficiency.

Objective To investigate the relationship between factors related to the transforming growth factor β(TGF-β)/Aerine-threonine kinase receptors(Smads)signaling pathway and cognitive dysfunction in peripheral blood of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(aSAH).Methods The clinical data of 100 patients with aSAH admitted to Chongzuo City People's Hospital from October 2018 to March 2022 were retrospectively selected and grouped according to the patients'Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA)scores,including 54 cases with cognitive dysfunction and 46 cases without cognitive dysfunction.The clinical data,peripheral blood TGF-β,Smad1,Smad3,and Smad7 mRNA expression levels of the two groups were compared.The relationship between pathway-related factors and cognitive dysfunction in patients with aSAH was analyzed in a multifactorial manner.The predictive value of pathway-related factors for cognitive dysfunction in aSAH patients was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results Peripheral blood TGF-β,Smad1,Smad3,and Smad7 mRNA expression levels were higher in the cognitively impaired group than in the group without cognitive impairment(P<0.05).Multifactorial showed that pathway-related factors were significantly associated with cognitive impairment in patients with aSAH(P<0.05).The ROC showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of pathway-related factors jointly predicted cognitive dysfunction in patients with aSAH was superior to that predicted alone(P<0.05).Conclusion The high expression of factors related to the TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway in the peripheral blood of aSAH patients suggests that this pathway may be associated with cognitive dysfunction in patients.

OBJECTIVETo assess the response in THP-1 treated with Rv3671c protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tuberculosis).

METHODSThe gene encoding Rv3671c protein of M.tuberculosis was cloned into pET-28a vector and then expressed in Escherichia coli. The Rv3671c was purified with Ni-NTA affinity and ion exchange chromatography. The detection of protein concentration was by Lowry method.THP-1 cell was stimulated with Rv3671c protein and cells were analyzed by Hochest staining under fluorescence microscopy to assay cell death (apoptosis and necrosis). TNF-α and IL-1β were detected by ELISA at each stimulating time.

RESULTSThe Rv3671c protein of M.tuberculosis was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli. The purity of recombinant Rv3671c protein was 95%, and the protein concentration was up to 0.4 mg/ml. The nucleus of THP-1 was isolated and necrosis-like under fluorescence when cells were stimulated by Rv3671c protein. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in supernatant were 19 000 and 16 500 pg/ml respectively, and were significantly higher than control cells with the levels of 2100 and 3800 pg/ml separately.

CONCLUSIONThe necrosis of THP-1 cells could be stimulated by Rv3671c protein of M.tuberculosis and it was probably associated with high cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β levels.

Bacterial Proteins ; pharmacology ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate gender-related differences in risk factors, clinical manifestation and outcomes in patients with aortic dissection (AD) from Guangzhou.

METHODSConsecutive patients with AD admitted to our institute over the past 10 years were included in this retrospective analysis. Prevalence of hypertension, smoking, thickness of intraventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall measured by echocardiography, and outcomes were compared between male and female AD patients.

RESULTSThere were more male AD patients than female AD patients (5.33:1) from the 418 patients. Prevalence of hypertension, thickness of intraventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall were similar in male and female AD patients. Heavy smoking history was 56.5% in males and 13.6% in females (P = 0.000). Acute survival rate in female patients tended to be better than that in male patients.

CONCLUSIONSThere were significantly more male AD patients than female AD patients in this cohort. Prevalence of heave smoking in male patients is 3 times higher than that in female population.

Aneurysm, Dissecting ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects

Systemic chemotherapy is the basic palliative treatment for metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); however, it is not known whether locoregional radiotherapy targeting the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes affects the survival of patients with metastatic NPC. Therefore, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate the benefits of locoregional radiotherapy. A total of 408 patients with metastatic NPC were included in this study. The mortality risks of the patients undergoing supportive treatment and those undergoing chemotherapy were compared with that of patients undergoing locoregional radiotherapy delivered alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. The contributions of independent factors were assessed after adjustment for covariates with significant prognostic associations (P < 0.05). Both locoregional radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy were identified as significant independent prognostic factors of overall survival (OS). The mortality risk was similar in the group undergoing locoregional radiotherapy alone and the group undergoing systemic chemotherapy alone [multi-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.9, P = 0.529]; this risk was 60% lower than that of the group undergoing supportive treatment (HR = 0.4, P = 0.004) and 130% higher than that of the group undergoing both systemic chemotherapy and locoregional radiotherapy (HR = 2.3, P < 0.001). In conclusion, locoregional radiotherapy, particularly when combined with systemic chemotherapy, is associated with improved survival of patients with metastatic NPC.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; surgery ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; surgery ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Palliative Care ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radiotherapy is the most common treatment regimen for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Whether chronomodulated infusion of chemotherapy can reduce its toxicity is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the toxic and therapeutic effects of sinusoidal chronomodulated infusion versus flat intermittent infusion of cisplatin (DDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) followed by radiotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced NPC. Patients with biopsy-diagnosed untreated stages III and IV NPC (according to the 2002 UICC staging system) were randomized to undergo 2 cycles of sinusoidal chronomodulated infusion (Arm A) or flat intermittent constant rate infusion (Arm B) of DDP and 5-FU followed by radical radiotherapy. Using a "MELODIE" multi-channel programmed pump, the patients were given 12-hour continuous infusions of DDP (20 mg/m2) and 5-FU (750 mg/m2) for 5 days, repeated every 3 weeks for 2 cycles. DDP was administered from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, and 5-FU was administered from 10:00 pm to 10:00 am each day. Chronomodulated infusion was performed in Arm A, with the peak deliveries of 5-FU at 4:00 am and DDP at 4:00 pm. The patients in Arm B underwent a constant rate of infusion. Radiotherapy was initiated in the fifth week, and both arms were treated with the same radiotherapy techniques and dose fractions. Between June 2004 and June 2006, 125 patients were registered, and 124 were eligible for analysis of response and toxicity. The major toxicity observed during neoadjuvant chemotherapy was neutropenia. The incidence of acute toxicity was similar in both arms. During radiotherapy, the incidence of stomatitis was significantly lower in Arm A than in Arm B (38.1% vs. 59.0%, P = 0.020). No significant differences were observed for other toxicities. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 88.9%, 82.4%, and 74.8% for Arm A and 91.8%, 90.2%, and 82.1% for Arm B. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 91.7%, 88.1%, and 85.2% for Arm A and 100%, 94.5%, and 86.9% for Arm B. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 82.5%, 79.1%, and 79.1% for Arm A and 90.2%, 85.2%, and 81.7% for Arm B. Chronochemotherapy significantly reduced stomatitis but was not superior to standard chemotherapy in terms of hematologic toxicities and therapeutic response.
Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Disease-Free Survival ; Dose Fractionation ; Drug Chronotherapy ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Induction Chemotherapy ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Stomatitis ; etiology ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the functions of sodium tripolyphosphate (STTP) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) in the process of collagen biomimetic mineralization. This would allow future applications to other collagen matrices such as bone collagen or 3-D collagen scaffolds.

METHODSGlass cover slips and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids were coated with reconstituted typeIcollagen fibrils. Mineralization of the reconstituted collagens was demonstrated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and TEM using a Portland cement-containing resin composite and a phosphate-containing fluid in the presence of PAA and STTP. The rest were immersed in a biomimetic remineralization medium without PAA and/or STTP (control).

RESULTSIn the presence of PAA and STTP in the mineralization medium, intrafibrillar mineralization based on the non-classical crystallisation pathway could be identified. Mineral phases were evident within the collagen fibrils as early as 12 h after the initially-formed amorphous calcium phosphate nanoprecursors were transformed into apatite nanocrystals. Collagens at 72 h were heavily mineralized with periodically arranged intrafibrillar apatite platelets. Conversely, only large mineral spheres with no preferred association with collagen fibrils were observed in the absence of biomimetic analogues in the medium (control).

CONCLUSIONSIntrafibrillar apatite deposition can be achieved via biomimetic mineralization system containing PAA and STTP when amorphous calcium phosphate precursor is stabilized.

Acrylic Resins ; chemistry ; Apatites ; Biomimetics ; Bone and Bones ; Calcium Phosphates ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; chemistry ; Composite Resins ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Minerals ; Phosphates ; Polyphosphates ; chemistry ; Tissue Scaffolds

We assessed the role of diabetes mellitus (DM) on treatment effects in drug-susceptible initial pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. A prospective study was conducted in eight provinces of China from October 2008 to December 2010. We enrolled 1,313 confirmed drug-susceptible initial PTB patients, and all subjects received the treatment regimen (2H3R3E3Z3/4H3R3) as recommended by the national guidelines. Of the 1,313 PTB patients, 157 (11.9%) had DM; these patients had more sputum smear-positive rates at the end of the second month [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) 2.829, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.783-4.490], and higher treatment failure (aOR 2.120, 95% CI 1.565-3.477) and death rates (aOR 1.536, 95% CI 1.011-2.628). DM was a contributing factor for culture-positive rates at the end of the second month and treatment failure and death of PTB patients, thus playing an unfavorable role in treatment effects of PTB.
Antitubercular Agents ; therapeutic use ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; drug effects ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; complications ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; microbiology

INTRODUCTIONPatients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have variable survival outcomes. We have previously shown that an elevated peripheral blood lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) is associated with an increased metastatic risk in patients with primary NPC. The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of pretreatment LMR in a large cohort of metastatic NPC patients.

METHODSClinical data of 672 patients with metastatic NPC diagnosed between January 2003 and December 2009 were analyzed. The peripheral lymphocyte and monocyte counts were retrieved, and LMR was calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and univariate and multivariate COX proportional hazards analyses were performed to evaluate the association of LMR with overall survival (OS).

RESULTSUnivariate analysis revealed that an elevated absolute lymphocyte count (≥1.390×10(9)/L) and LMR (≥2.475) as well as a decreased monocyte count (<0.665×10(9)/L) were significantly associated with prolonged OS. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that LMR (hazard ratio [HR]=0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.41-0.60, P<0.001), absolute lymphocyte count (HR=0.77, 95% CI=0.64-0.93, P=0.007), and monocyte count (HR=1.98, 95% CI=1.63-2.41, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors. By stratification analyses, only LMR remained a significant predictor of prognosis.

CONCLUSIONWe identified pretreatment LMR as an independent prognostic factor for patients with metastatic NPC. Independent validation of our findings is needed.

Carcinoma ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocytes ; Monocytes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve