Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; classification ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Vincristine ; administration & dosage

AIM: To analyze the demands, consultation patterns and contributing factors of the patients involved in the ophthalmic on-line consultation during the COVID-19 epidemic to provide reference for the optimization of the ophthalmic online health care system.

METHODS: Prospective observational study. The patients using “expert online consultation” provided by the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from February 1 to March 15, 2020 were enrolled. The baseline characteristics were analyzed. For the patients with repeated consultation, we randomly selected the same amount of patients with single consultation as comparison. The baseline characteristics, consultation purposes, disease types, and number of combined eye diseases between the patients with single and repeated consultation were compared, and the contributing factors of patients'consultation pattern were analyzed with statistical test and regression model.

RESULTS: The “expert online consultation” provided 9 831 consultations during the study, 3 919 of which were single consultation while 5 912 of which came from the repeated consultations of 1 967 patients. 1 967 patients with single consultation were randomly selected and compared with the repeated inquirers. The main consultation purposes in the both groups were “return visit”(59.7%, 64.9%). There was no significant difference in age and gender distribution between the patients with single online visit and repeated online visits(P=0.897, 0.482). Compared with the patients with single visit, the patients with repeated visit were less with the purpose of “new-onset discomfort”, more with the purpose of “return visit” and “follow-up after surgery”, more with ocular surface, fundus and uveal diseases, and more with two or more combined eye diseases. Regression analysis showed that the patients with ocular refractive issues tended to have a single consultation, while the patients inquired on previous eye disease and surgery, with fundus or uveal disease tended to have repeated consultations. The number of repeated visits for the patients with diagnosed ophthalmopathy and ophthalmic surgery was higher than that for the patients with new-onset discomfort; the number of repeated visits was lower for the patients with lens and anterior segment diseases, and was higher for the patients with ocular surface diseases.

CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 epidemic, the main purpose of on-line ophthalmic consultation was return visit for the diagnosed eye diseases. Type of eye disease, consultation purpose and number of combined ophthalmopathies all affected whether the patients repeated the consultation and the repeated times. The arrangement of ophthalmologists in different sub-specialties should be adjusted according to the patients' needs and their consultation patterns.

Objective To study the association between functional genetic polymorphisms of IL-1B(T-31C,C-511T),IL-1RN and the susceptibility to gastric cancers. Methods A case-control study was conducted in 180 gastric cancer cases and 308 age-and sex-matched cancer-free controls.Genotypes were detected by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) assays,and association between genotypes,environmental factors and risk of gastric cancers were determined. Results IL-1B T-31C was in strong linkage disequilibrium with IL-1B C-511T(D'=0.862,R2= 0.721,P=0.000).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the variant genotypes of IL-1B T-31C and C-511T were not significantly associated with risks for gastric cancers(adjusted OR,0.95 and 95% CI,0.62-1.47 for IL-1B T-31C;and adjusted OR,0.85 and 95% CI,0.55-1.31 for IL-1B C-511T).The variant genotypes(1/2,2/2) in IL-1RN were associated with a non-significantly increased risks for gastric cancers(adjusted OR,1.32 and 95% CI,0.71-2.36) in all subjects and with a significantly increased risks for gastric cancers in subjects with H.pylori infection(adjusted OR,2.03 and 95%CI,1.02-4.80).Conclusion The functional genetic polymorphisms of IL-1RN may contribute to the risks of gastric cancers in high-risk population,particularly in those with H.pylori infection.

OBJECTIVETo observe Modified Zhisou Powder (MZP) on the lung function of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model rats of northwest China cold dryness syndrome (NCCDS).

METHODSTotally 90 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., the normal control group (n =20), the COPD model group (n =35), and the COPD of NCCDS group (n =35). The COPD model was established by tracheal dripping porcine pancreatic elastase (PEE) in combination with fumigation for 90 days. The COPD of NCCDS model was set up by tracheal dripping PEE +fumigation + cold and dry environmental stress for 90 days. Then rats in the COPD of NCCDS were randomly divided into the MZP intervention group (n =11 )and the normal saline intervention group (n =10).All intervention lasted for 15 successive days. The lung function was detected using Small Animal Lung Function Device at day 90 and day 105. And the lung pathology was also observed.

RESULTSLittle amount of sputum sound could be heard in the airway of the COPD model group and the COPD of NCCDS group. Pathological section showed alveolar ectasia, narrowed and broken alveolar septa, forming larger capsular space with infiltration of inflammatory cells. Rats in the COPD of NCCDS group showed chills, increased amount of drinking water, and loose stool. MZP could improve their symptoms. As for lung function test, compared with the normal control group, Te increased in the COPD model group (P <0.01), and EF50 decreased (P<0.05). PEF and EF50 decreased (P <0.01), Ti and Te increased (P <0.01, P <0.05) in the COPD of NCCDS group. Compared with the normal saline intervention group, PEF and EF50 increased (P < 0.01), Ti and Te decreased (P <0.01) in the MZP intervention group.

CONCLUSIONMZP could improve the symptoms of COPD rats of NCCDS, and delay the velocity of decreased lung function.

Animals ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Respiratory Function Tests

Objective：This study was designed to investigate the effect of brain irradiation on blood-brain barrier (BBB) quantitatively by measuring cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP) concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methods：Twenty-two patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) received brain irradiation (BI). During BI, DDP (20mg/m2) was given before radiotherapy and after cumulative doses of 10gray, 20gray, 30gray， and 40gray separately 3h prior to CSF collection and blood collection. Ten NSCLC patients without brain metastases were given the same dose DDP and the CSF and blood samples were collected. Samples were assayed for DDP levels by using flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results：There were 20 patients with and 10 without brain metastases assessable. The average DDP level in CSF was 1.02mg/L for patients with brain metastases before BI, which was significantly higher than the average level of 0.33mg/L for patients without brain metastases. The DDP level in CSF increased with the dose of BI and reached the highest level after 30gray irradiation(2.36mg/L). Conclusion：The BBB of patients with brain metastases is impaired in a certain degree and DDP could reach its therapeutic level in the CSF. The BBB would gradually open following BI, and DDP would reach the highest level after a dose of 30gray whole brain irradiation. In the CSF of patients with normal BBB, the DDP concentration is much lower than the therapeutic level.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and its receptor c-Met protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and CNE-2 NPC cell line, to correlate their expression level with clinicopathologic features and to study the effect of HGF/c-Met system on the invasive and metastatic potential of NPC.

METHODSForty-five biopsies were collected from pre-treatment NPC patients during the period from 1999 to 2003. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of HGF-alpha subunit and c-Met protein in NPC tissues. The association between expression of these proteins and clinicopathologic features was statistically analyzed. The expression of HGF and c-Met, as detected by flow cytometry, in CNE-2 NPC cell line (with or without exogenous HGF) was compared. Western blot analysis and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were also applied to evaluate the protein and mRNA expression of c-Met in CNE-2 cells.

RESULTSIn the 45 cases studied, the expression rate of c-Met was 91.1% (41/45). Only 1 case (2.2%, 1/45) showed positive signal for HGF in neoplastic cells. Instead, HGF was expressed in surrounding lymphocytes. The expression of c-Met positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.024). There was also a positive correlation between expression of c-Met by tumor cells and expression of HGF by surrounding lymphocytes (r(s) = 0.450, P = 0.002). Moreover, the expression of c-Met was higher if there was a higher expression of HGF by lymphocytes (P = 0.009). However, there was no association between expression of c-Met and clinicopathologic features, such as age, gender, histopathologic type and clinical stage. After treatment with HGF for 24 hours, the percentage of c-Met-positive cells was significantly increased in CNE-2 cell line, from (46.6 +/- 9.02)% to (85.8 +/- 6.05)% (P = 0.003). The c-Met protein expression and c-Met mRNA level were also enhanced in CNE-2 cells with HGF treatment. However, endogenous HGF was not detected in CNE-2 cells, regardless of HGF treatment.

CONCLUSIONSHGF may play an important role in the development of NPC metastasis by inducing the expression of c-Met in tumor cells via a paracrine, instead of an autocrine, pathway.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; secondary ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; physiology ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the outcome of surgical treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) and the associated factors.

METHODSA total of 277 patients with GIST underwent primary surgical treatment from January 1990 to February 2010 at the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University. The clinical data were retrospectively reviewed and the pathological examination was reviewed. Follow-up was performed.

RESULTSThere were 176 males and 101 females. The age ranged from 20 to 81 years old (median,57). Location of the tumor included colorectum (n=28),small bowel(n=76), stomach(n=173). All the patients had en bloc resection, including local excision in 98 patients, organ resection in 64, and extended resection in 115. The 5-year survival rates were 83.5%, 71.9%, and 61.9% in the three different procedures, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). Cox model showed that the tumor size, recurrence and metastasis were independent risk factors associated with the prognosis in GIST patients(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSurgery remains the major approach for gastrointestinal GIST. Complete resection is the principal treatment. Extensive resection or extended lymph nodes dissection is not associated with improved survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThis study was designed to detect methylation of E-cadherin gene promoter and gene mutation of beta-catenin in exon 3 and their expression of protein and mRNA in primary tumor and lymph node metastatic tumor of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and investigate the mechanism of invasion and metastasis of neoplastic cells in NPC.

METHODSFourty-two fresh biopsy samples were taken from untreated NPC patients at the Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China during the period of 1999-2002. Among them 21 were taken from primary tumors and the other 21 from lymph node metastatic tumors. The gene promoter methylation of E-cadherin was detected by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The mutation in exon 3 of beta-catenin was detected by direct sequencing analysis. RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression patterns in both primary and metastatic tumors of NPC.

RESULTSDown-regulated expression of E-cadherin in metastatic tumor was compared with that in primary tumor. Reduced expression of E-cadherin was found to be correlated with lymph node metastatic tumor of NPC (P = 0.004); but there was no obvious correlation between primary and metastatic tumors in the expression of beta-catenin (P = 0.698). The mRNA expression level of E-cadherin in metastatic tumors decreased significantly compared with that in primary tumors. However, little change was observed in the mRNA level of beta-catenin in different tumor tissues. Only 4 samples (19.1%) displayed gene promoter methylation of E-cadherin in primary tumor and 10 samples (47.6%) showed methylated form of E-cadherin. The gene promoter methylation of E-cadherin was more common in metastatic tumor than in primary tumor of NPC (P = 0.024). Only 2 (4.76%) of the 42 samples showed mutations in exon 3 of beta-catenin at 41 (T41A, ACC-->GCC) and codon 47 (S47T, AGT-->ACT). The cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of beta-catenin in tumor was not found in any samples of NPC.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that the downregulation of E-cadherin results from the gene promoter aberrant methylation of E-cadherin and that the methylation of E-cadherin plays an important role in invasion and metastasis of tumor cells in NPC. However, beta-catenin mutation is an infrequent event in NPC, and beta-catenin is not a critical factor influencing the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells in NPC.

Adult ; Aged ; Blotting, Western ; Cadherins ; analysis ; genetics ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; chemistry ; genetics ; pathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Trans-Activators ; analysis ; genetics ; beta Catenin

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the prognostic value of serum β2-micorglobulin(β2-MG) level in non-Hodgkin s lymphoma(NHL) patients and its correlation with Ann Arber staging system and the pathological type. Method: Serum β2-MG levels in 75 de novo NHL patients were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: The β2-MG level in 75 NHL patients was higher than that in nomal control level in 52％ of the patients and correlated with the Ann Arber stage. There was significant difference between two groups (P<0.01). The international prognostic index (IPI) and the response rate to chemotherapy were also correlated with the β2-MG level in serum. The response rate, the complete response, and partial response were 87.2%, 61.5%, and 25.6% in normal serum β2-MG group, while in the high β2-MG group they were only 75.0%, 50.0%, and 25.0%, respectively, which were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05). The difference of 5-year survival between the two groups was significant (64.1% vs 27.8%, P<0.05) and favorable in normal β2-MG group. Conclusion: β2-MG level in serum is an independen prognostic factor in de novo NHL, and the patients with abnormal β2-MG level in serum have a unfavorable prognosis.

Objective To investigate the epidemiology of allergic rhinitis(AR) and the distribution of allergens in villagers who lived in Hebei Province( Hebei villagers) and the citizens who lived in the city of Tianjin (Tianjin citizens).Methods From April 2007 to May 2010,face to face investigation and serum specific IgE (sIgE) examination were conducted among Hebei villagers and Tianjin citizens by randomly multi-stage and cluster sampling,and the results were analyzed. Results A total of 1524 cases were investigated,among them,1024 cases in Hebei and 500 cases in Tianjin,the prevalence of the sIgE test was 27.2％ (279/1024) and 21.2％ (106/500),and the difference was of statistical significance ( x2 =7.13,P ＜0.01 ).The prevalence of AR was 9.2％ (94/1024) and 9.0％ (45/500),the difference was of no statistical significance(x2 =0.01,P ＞ 0.05 ).The most common allergens were dog epithelium and cat epithelium,the next were dust mites,house dust mites,birch and forage grasses in rural areas of Hebei Province.The most common allergens in Tianjin city were dust mites and house dust mites,the next were dog epithelium,cat epithelium,birch and forage grasses. The prevalence of allergens between Hebei villagers and Tianjin citizens had significant difference,which from high to low were house dust mites,dust mites and dog epithelium(x2 value were 11.36,9.14,5.28,all P ＜ 0.05).The incidence of AR caused by dog epithelium in Hebei was higher than that in Tianjin,however,the dust mites in Tianjin was higher than that in Hebei.Conclusions Allergen plays an important role in the prevalence of AR.The allergens have differences not only in areas but also in urban and village. The key factor is contact with allergens frequently.