BACKGROUND: Progressive body mass losses and physical strength decrease are common complications of malignant tumors, and they are important factors that affect the quality of life of the patients.OBJECTIVE: To probe into the curative effect of a Chinese herbal compound Yiqi Xiaozheng granules combined with antitumor drugs in the treatment of malignant tumors and its effect on the quality of life.DESIGN: A randomized controlled observation.SETTING:Clinical Tumor College of Peking University.PARTICIPANT: Totally 61 patients with malignant pulmonary carcinoma,breast or intestinal carcinoma hospitalized in the Wards of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Beijing Cancer Hospital from June 1999 to March 2002 were recruited.METHODS: Altogether 61 cases of malignant tumor were randomized into the treatment group (treated with Chinese herbal compound Yiqi Xiaozheng granules supplemented with chemotherapy)(n=34) and the control group (treated with only chemotherapy was used)(n=27). The difference in curative effect, survival period with tumor and the quality of life of the two groups were observed. The comparison of the curative effects of the two groups was performed according to Clinical Curative Effect Criteria for Solid Tumors stipulated by World Health Organization: completely response, partly response, stable disease, and progressive disease. X-ray examination was performed on the patients before the therapy and two courses of treatment after the therapy to evaluate the curative effect. Physical strength grading was made according to the evaluation criteria of Eastern Oneology Cooperative Group of the United States. The two groups were graded before and after the treatment. The group with decreased grade after the treatment was considered to be improving, but the group with increased grade after the treatment was considered to be worsening.symptom before and after therapyparison of the curative effect of the two groups: The cure rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group (partial response rate,stability rate and progression rate of the two groups was 36% ,7% ;52%,survival with tumors: The mean period of survival with tumors of the treatment group was longer than that of the control group until March 2002ing: Physical strength grading status was better after the therapy in the treatment group than that in the control group [ In the treatment group, 9cases (26%)were ameliorated, 25 (74%)appeared stable , none was aggravated; in the control group, 1 case (4%) was ameliorated, 25(93%) appeared of qi-deficiency symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine before and after the treatment between the two groups. Symptoms such as sweating and qi deficiency manifested as disclination to talk, listlessness, debility, etc. were significantly reduced in the treatment group (The numbers of cases before and after the treatment were 20, 9; 17,9; 20,13 respectively). In the control group, the cases either were stable or showed an increase in symptoms (There were 13, 13; 14, 17; 18, 20 respectively before and after treatment).CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, in the treatment of malignant tumors, Yiqi Xiaozheng granules supplemented with chemotherapy not only enhanced curative effect, but also improved the quality of life and prolonged the period of survival with tumors.

Objective:To investigate the expression of MKK 4 protein in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma and its clinical significance.Methods:Immunohistochemical methods were employed to analyze MKK 4 positive expression intensity and positive cells in freshly collected nasopharyngeal carcinoma of both 90nasopharyngeal carcinoma cases and 20 chronic nasopharyngitis control.The clinical pathological characteristic were analyzed.Results:The data obtained by MKK4 immunohistochemistry showed that the MKK 4 positive rate was higher in control group than in the NPC group (95.5%vs 75.6%,P<0.05).The expression of MKK4 was related to tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis ( P<0.05 ) , but not to gender , age, tumor volum and TNM stage ( P>0.05 ) . Conclusion:Positive rate of MKK4 protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues is lower than in chronic nasopharyngitis.MKK4 protein expressions in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues negatively correlated with lymph node metastasis ,clincal stage ,invasive depth ,and TTP (Time to progression),but not with age,gender,location and tumor volume.

Objective:Discussion MKK4 protein expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and -1044 A/T polymorphism correlation.Methods:90 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma , MKK4 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining,polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism ( PCR-RFLP ) to detect the gene -1044A/T sites monocytes nucleotide polymorphism.Results:MKK4 protein expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (-) was 24.4%(22/90),(+) was 15.6%(14/90),(++) was 34.4%(31/90),(+++) was 25.6% (23/90).Low expression (-/+) patients with a total of 36 cases,-1044AA genotype accounted for 22 cases (61.11%),AT genotype accounted for 12 cases (33.33%),TT genotype accounted for two cases (5.56%),AT+TT gene type accounted for 14 cases (38.89%).The patients with high MKK4 expression of 54 cases,of which accounted for 38 cases of AA genotype (70.37%),AT genotype accounted with 15 cases (27.78%),TT genotype accounted for one case (1.85%),AT +TT genotype accounted for 16 cases (29.63%).Low expression and high expression of T gene mutation occurs no significant ( Z=0.323 , P=0.747 ) .Conclusion: MKK4 protein expression correlated with -1044 A/T gene promoter polymorphisms was no significant correlation .

Objective To investigate the biocompatibility between the atelocollagen scaffold and 3D-cultured myocardial cells,and to find out the condition and an optimal biomaterial scaffold that can be applied to 3D-culture myocardial tissue. Methods The primary cultured myocardial cells were purified and then inoculated into the atelocollagen scaffold.The cells in the atelocollagen scaffold were observed by light microscope,scanning electron microscope(SEM) and transmission electron microscope(TEM) at different times(8d,16d,20d). Results On the first day,cardiac cells pulsating together with the atelocollagen scaffold could be detected under the microscope,which were pulsating complex.A plenty of cells in the atelocollagen mesh were observed under the light microscope,and the cells coalesced with the scaffold.The cells were compacted to the scaffold and coalesced with it at three stages under TEM.Those cells were sticked to the atelocollagen scaffold and expanded sufficiently under SEM.On the atelocollagen scaffold surface,these cells coalesced with lamellar.Conclusion The biocompatibility of the atelocollagen scaffold is better for cultured cardiac myocyte.It can be used as a natural material for 3D-cultured cells,and is suitable for 3D-cultured cardiac cells and cardiac tissues.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between-1304T/G polymorphism in the promoter of MKK4 gene and the susceptibility in sporadic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHOD: MKK4-1304T/G genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 90 NPC cases and 30 healthy controls. RESULT: The number of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients carrying with TG+GG genotype was much higher than those of controls (82.2% vs 66.7%, χ² =10.076, P < 0.05). Analysis showed that compared with the-1304TT genotype, -1304TG heterozygous reduced risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma 0.56 fold (95% CI = 0.164-1.178, P < 0.01) and-1304GG lower 0.58 fold (95% CI = 0.126-1.381, P < 0.01), TG+ GG genotype variation risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma decreased 0.72 fold (95% CI = 0.105-0.753, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION MKK4 gene-1304TG genotype can reduce risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and it may be an independent protection factor in sporadic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Carcinoma ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; genetics ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

Objective To investigate the factors associated with contralateral recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax And prosvide referencee for how to prevent primary spontaneous Pneumothrorax with Contralateral recurrence.Methods From January 2006 to December 2011,the clinical follow-up data of 203 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax were reviewed.The median follow-up time was 43 months.Results Two hundred and three patients developed 241 recurrences,among which 27 patients had contralateral recurrences.The average time of contralateral recurrence was 20.19 months.Patients with contralateral recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax had smaller age(P ＜ 0.05),lower body weight (P ＜ 0.05) and lower body mass index (P ＜0.01).All patients with contralateral recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax received surgical treatment and were found bullae during surgery.Three patients had unilateral recurrences of pneumothorax during follow up,with single-stage bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for bilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax.Conclusions Contralateral recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumothorax is more common in patients with small age,low body weight and low body mass index.These patients could perform high-resolution computerized tomographic scan of the lung before surgery.Single-stage bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery may be considered for these patients with contralateral bullae on high-resolution computerized tomographic scan of the lung to prevent contralateral recurrence of primary spontaneous pneumuothorax.

Objective:To explore application of targeted contrast enhanced ultrasonography in diagnosis of early stage vascular endothelial injury and diabetic nephropathy.Methods:Targeted SonoVue-TM microbubble was prepared by attaching anti-TM monoclonal antibody to the surface of ordinary micro-bubble SonoVue by biotin-avidin bridge method and ultrasonic instrument was used to evaluate the developing situation of targeted microbubble in vitro. Twenty 12-week-old male GK rats and 20 Wistar rats were enrolled in this study, and were randomly divided into targeted angiography group and ordinary angiography group. Targeted microbubbles SonoVue-TM or general microbubble SonoVue were rapidly injected to the rats via tail vein; the developing situation of the two contrast agents in rats kidneys was dynamically observed. Time intensity curve was used to analyse rat kidney perfusion characteristics in different groups. Results:Targeted ultrasound microbubble SonoVue-TM was successfully constructed, and it could be used to develop an external image. Targeted microbubbles SonoVue-TM enabled clear development of experimental rat kidney. Time intensity curve shapes of rat kidney of the two groups showed as single apex with steep ascending and slowly descending branch. Compared with the control group, the rising slope of the GK rat renal cortex, medulla in targeted angiography group increased(P<0.05); the peak intensity of medulla increased (P<0.05), and the total area under the curve of medulla increased (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the ascending branch of the GK rat in renal cortex, medulla in ordinary angiography group increased (P<0.05). The peak intensity of the curve increased (P<0.05), and the total area under the curve increased (P<0.05). Compared with the ordinary angiography group, the peak of GK rat medullacurve in targeted angiography group intensity increased (P<0.05), and the total area under the curve increased (P<0.05).Conclusions:Targeted microbubbles SonoVue-TM can make a clear development of experimental rat kidney, its stable performance meet the requirement of ultrasonic observation time limit, and it can reflect early changes of blood perfusion in GK rat kindey.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of the combination of mouse nerve growth factor and edaravone in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning and its effect on patients′ cognitive function, lactic acid clearance rate, and related indicators of oxygen free radicals.Methods:A selection of 158 patients with carbon monoxide poisoning in the Huxi Hospital Affilliated Jining Medical College from May 2017 to June 2020 were divided into study group (80 cases) and control group (78 cases) according to the treatment plan. Both groups were given conventional treatment. On this basis, the control group was given edaravone, and the study group was given mouse nerve growth factor combined with edaravone, both of which were treated for 2 weeks. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared with those before treatment and 1 week and 2 weeks after treatment. Neurological impairment score (NIHSS), disease severity score (APACHE Ⅱ), cognitive function score (MMSE), serum inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP)], oxygen free radical related indicators [lipid peroxide (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), gluten Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), malondialdehyde (MDA)] levels, blood lactic acid levels before treatment and lactic acid clearance rates after 12 h, 24 h, 72 h treatment, and statistics of adverse reactions and 30-day mortality.Results:The total effective rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group after 2 weeks of treatment [95.00% (76/80) vs. 78.21% (61/78)] ( P<0.05); NIHSS and APACHEⅡ scores of the study group after 1 week and 2 weeks of treatment Lower than the control group: (6.08 ± 1.15) points vs. (8.94 ± 1.71) points, (4.58 ± 0.74) points vs. (6.32 ± 0.93) points and (6.79 ± 1.03) points vs. (8.02 ± 1.47) points, (5.94 ± 1.47) points vs. (7.25 ± 0.94) points, the MMSE score was higher than that of the control group: (22.09 ± 4.35) points vs. (19.34 ± 5.32) points, (26.05 ± 2.37) points vs. (22.47 ± 4.64) points ( P<0.05) After 1 and 2 weeks of treatment, the serum TNF-α, IL-6, CRP, LPO and MDA levels in the study group were lower than those in the control group: (22.62 ± 4.12) ng/L vs. (29.43 ± 4.68) ng/L and (18.21 ± 2.09) ng/L vs. (24.37 ± 3.16) ng/L, (39.67 ± 4.35) ng/L vs. (52.14 ± 5.48) ng/L and (34.83 ± 3.75) ng/L vs. (41.07 ± 4.09) ng/L, (12.63 ± 1.85) mg/L vs. (17.02 ± 2.47) mg/L and (8.27 ± 1.16) mg/L vs. (11.05 ± 1.62) mg/L, (11.06 ± 1.28) μmol/L vs. (15.97 ± 1.85) μmol/L and (8.24 ± 1.12) μmol/L vs. (12.97 ± 1.40) μmol/L, (7.15 ± 1.16) μmol/L vs. (9.02 ± 1.47) μmol/L and (6.12 ± 0.96) μmol/L vs. (7.84 ± 1.25) μmol/L, the levels of SOD and GSH-PX were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05); the lactate clearance rate in the study group was higher than that in the control group after 12, 24 and 72 h of treatment: (18.49 ± 3.63)% vs. (14.62 ± 2.95)%, (23.19 ± 4.20)% vs. (17.42 ± 3.57)%, (29.86 ± 6.37)% vs. (25.38 ± 5.21)% ( P<0.05); the incidence of adverse reactions in the study group during treatment Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference ( P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the 30-day mortality between the study group and the control group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The combination of mouse nerve growth factor and edaravone in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning can reduce the severity of disease and neurological deficits, improve cognitive function and lactate clearance rate, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, improve efficacy, and have good safety.

OBJECTIVETo assess the pathologic markers for evaluation of reversibility in pulmonary hypertension (PAH) related to congenital heart disease.

METHODSTwenty-eight patients with congenital heart disease complicated by PAH were subclassified into reversible pulmonary hypertension (RPAH) and irreversible pulmonary hypertension (IPAH), according to post-operative mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP). Pulmonary vascular lesion was analyzed according to Ruan's method. Mean medium thickness percent, mean medium area percent and pulmonary arteriolar density were measured by quantitative morphometry. Immunohistochemical study for transgelin and filamin A was carried out.

RESULTSAmongst the 28 cases studied, 24 were RPAH and 4 were IPAH. Of the 24 patients with RPAH, 13 (54.2%, 13/24) had pulmonary vascular lesion of grade 0, 9 (37.5%, 9/24) of grade 1 and 2 (8.3%, 2/24) of grade 2. Of the 4 patients with IPAH, 1 had lesion of grade 1, 1 of grade 2 and 2 of grade 3. Both preoperative and postoperative MPAP were higher in IPAH patients than that in RPAH patients[(53.3±23.4) mmHg versus (34.1±12.7) mmHg, P=0.020 and (35.0±8.8) mmHg versus (17.8±3.9) mmHg, P<0.01]. Compared to patients with pulmonary vascular lesion of grades 0 and 1, the preoperative MPAP in patients with grades 2 and 3 showed no significant difference, but the postoperative MPAP was higher (P<0.05 or 0.01). Compared to control group, mean medium thickness percent and mean medium area percent were significantly higher in RPAH and IPAH categories (12.0±3.5, 8.5±2.0 versus 5.7±1.0, P<0.01 and 55.8±11.1, 49.0±9.4 versus 34.0±5.5, P<0.01). Mean medium thickness percent was significantly higher in IPAP group than that in RPAH group (12.0±3.5 versus 8.5±2.0, P=0.001). Correlation analysis demonstrated that mean medium thickness percent and mean medium area percent had positive correlation with preoperative and postoperative MPAP. There was no correlation between grading of pulmonary vascular lesion and reversibility. Transgelin and filamin A had stronger staining in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells in IPAH than those in RPAH and controls(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPathologic assessment of lung biopsy remains the gold standard for evaluation of the reversibility in PAH related to congenital heart disease. Mean medium thickness percent, mean medium area percent and immunoreactivity for transgelin and filamin A are useful parameters.

Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Biopsy ; Filamins ; metabolism ; Heart Diseases ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; complications ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Lung ; pathology ; Microfilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Muscle Proteins ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDIt is well known that more than 40% patients were initially diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with intrapulmonary or/and distant metastasis. However, up to now, the reports about effects of different metastatic sites on survival were limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinicopathologic and survival difference by retrospective analysis among sole intrapulmonary metastasis, sole extrathoracic distant metastasis and simultaneous metastasis of lung and other extrathoracic organs for the patients with advanced NSCLC, and to analyze the prognosis-related factors of NSCLC with intrapulmonary metastasis.

METHODSOf the 425 patients with stage IV NSCLC diagnosed by pathology and through staging evaluation and treated at Beijing Cancer Hospital with long follow-up during Oct. 1995 to Dec. 2003, 81 cases had sole intrapulmonary metastasis, 98 cases had sole extrathoracic distant metastasis and 68 cases presented simultaneous lung metastasis and extrathoracic spread. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was performed to estimate the survival of patients with different metastasis, Log-Rank test was used to compare their survival difference, and univariate analysis was used to find prognostic related factors.

RESULTSMedian survival time (MST) and 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate (SR) for patients with sole intrapulmonary metastasis were 13 months (95% CI: 11-15), 57%, 21%, 7%, respectively; MST was 22 months (95% CI: 18-26) for patients with N1 and/or N2 and 10 months (95%CI: 7-13) for patients with N3 (P=0.001). Among the patients with ipsilateral, contralateral and bilateral intrapulmonary metastasis, difference of MST and 1-, 2-, 3-year SR had no statistical significance (P > 0.05); Survival of patients with sole intrapulmonary metastasis was not significantly different from that of patients with sole brain or bone metastasis (P > 0.05), but was longer than that of patients with simultaneous lung and extrathoracic spread (P=0.021). One way analysis of variance showed that no significant association were found among age, pathologic subtype, differentiation degree or response of first-line chemotherapy and survival of the patients with sole intrapulmonary metastasis (P > 0.05), but sex and invasive status of lymph node (N1/N2 vs N3) were found to influence the survival of the patients (P= 0.018, P=0.001). Further stratified analysis by age showed that invasion of lymph node was independent prognostic factor (P=0.002); whereas for the patients with simultaneous metastasis of lung and distant organs, metastatic numbers (2 vs ≥3) of organ were independent prognostic factor (P=0.013).

CONCLUSIONSNo statistical difference is found among survival of NSCLC patients with sole intrapulmonary metastasis and with sole brain, bone metastasis. Invasive status of lymph node and metastatic number of organ are important prognostic factors for patients with sole intrapulmonary metastasis and simultaneous metastasis of lung and extrathoracic organs, respectively.