Objective To examine the clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of patients with synchronous head and neck and esophageal cancer (SHNEC).Methods The clinical data of 30 SHNEC patients treated in the Department of Radiotherapy of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University from 2010 to 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.The patients were followed up and survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.Differences between survival curves were analyzed by the log-rank test,and prognostic analysis was performed using the Cox regression model.At the same and different time,the comprehensive diagnosis were 24 cases and 6 cases.21 patients were treated with radiochemotherapy, 9 patients were treated by surgery and radiotherapy±chemotherapy.Results SHNEC was frequently found in elderly men with heavy drinking and smoking habits.Hypopharyngeal cancer with middle esophageal cancer was most common among the patients;of the 30 patients,23(77%) had hypopharyngeal cancer,and 12(40%) had hypopharyngeal cancer with middle esophageal cancer.The median survival time of the patients was 20 months,and the 1-and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 83% and 37%,respectively.Univariate analysis showed that the stage of esophageal cancer,heavy smoking and drinking habits,and a family history of cancer were significantly associated with patient prognosis (P=0.009,0.044,0.012).In addition,the Cox analysis also demonstrated that the stage of esophageal cancer (HR=3.53,P=0.008),heavy smoking and drinking habits (HR=2.33,P=0.049),and a family history of cancer (HR=2.78,P=0.026) were independent prognostic factors.Conclusions Hypopharyngeal and middle esophageal cancer is the most common type of SHNEC,and the stage of esophageal cancer and heavy smoking and drinking habits are significantly associated with the prognosis of SHNEC patients.In addition,patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ esophageal cancer can also achieve acceptable survival after receiving radiotherapy-based comprehensive treatment.

Objective To establish the mathematical models of stature estimation for Sichuan Han female with measurement of lumbar vertebrae by X-ray to provide essential data for forensic anthropology re-search. Methods The samples, 206 Sichuan Han females, were divided into three groups including group A, B and C according to the ages. Group A(206 samples) consisted of all ages, group B(116 samples) were 20-45 years old and 90 samples over 45 years old were group C. All the samples were examined lumbar vertebrae through C Rtechnology, including the parameters of five centrums (L1-L5) as anterior border, posterior border and central heights (x1-x15), total central height of lumbar spine (x16), and the real height of every sample.The linear regression analysis was produced using the parameters to establish the mathematical models of stature estimation. Sixty-two trained subjects were tested to verify the accuracy of the mathematical models. Results The established mathematical models by hypothesis test of linear regression equation model were statistically significant (P<0.05).The standard errors of the equation were 2.982-5.004 cm, while correlation coefficients were 0.370-0.779 and multiple correlation coefficients were 0.533-0.834.The return tests of the highest correlation coefficient and multiple correlation coefficient of each group showed that the highest accuracy of the multiple regression equation, y=100.33+1.489 x3-0.548 x6+0.772 x9+0.058 x12+0.645 x15, in group Awere 80.6% (±1SE ) and 100% (±2SE ). Conclusion The established mathematical models in this study could be applied for the stature estimation for Sichuan Han females.

Aim To investigate Jianpi Qinghua Chinese herbal compound( JQCC) on the expressions of the rel-evant proteins of TLR4 and its downstream MyD88-de-pendent pathways, and on the inflammatory factor TNF-α in the animal model of chronic atrophic gastritis ( CAG) in rats, so as to discuss the molecular mecha-nism of JQCC in the treatment of CAG. Methods 53 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the blank con-trol group(n=8) and the CAG model group(n=45), and the animal model of CAG in rats was replicated by the “ammonia + sodium deoxycholic acid + ethanol”method. After the successful modeling was confirmed, the rest of the 40 CAG rats in the CAG model group were divided into the model group, the vitacoenzyme-tablet group, the low dose of JQCC group, the medium dose of JQCC group, the high dose of JQCC group ( each group n =8 ) . The experimental animals of all the groups were given intragastric administration of medication continuously for 30 days. Then the patho-logical histological changes were observed by HE stai-ning. The protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, NF-КB and COX-2 were tested by Western-blot assay. And the serum TNF-α level was measured by ELISA. Results The protein expressions of TLR4 , MyD88 , NF-КB and COX-2 and the serum TNF-α level in the rats in the model group were increased evidently ( P<0. 01). Compared with the model group, the gastric mucosa lesions were improved in the low dose of JQCC group, the medium dose of JQCC group, the high dose of JQCC group, together with significant decreases of the protein expressions of TLR4 , MyD88 , NF-κB and COX-2 and the serum TNF-α level ( P <0. 05 or P <0. 01 ) . Conclusion JQCC could effectively improve the pathological and histological changes in the gastric mucosa in CAG rats, and the therapeutic mechanism might be related to the expressions of the relevant pro-teins of TLR4-MyD88-dependent pathways and the ex-pressions of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Abstract: Objective To construct a shuttle vector pHT315-AaCPR100A with two spore-producing-dependent promoters and the target gene AaCPR100A in Escherichia coli-Bacillus thuringiensis. Methods The forward promoter of Cry3A, named Pro-1 (+), was amplified by PCR using pSVP27A plasmid as the template, and the target gene AaCPR100A was amplified using Aedes aegypti RNA reverse conversion cDNA as the template. The plasmid pHT315 was linearized by digestion with Hind Ⅲ and Sal Ⅰ. The forward promoter and the target gene were inserted into the linearized vector pHT315 successively by in-fusion cloning according to the transcription direction. The synthesized plasmid containing the Cry3A reverse promoter sequence was used as the template, and the Pro-1 (-) reverse promoter was amplified by PCR. The intermediate vector containing the forward promoter and the target gene was linearized by EcoR I restriction enzyme, and the reverse promoter was inserted downstream of the target gene by in-fusion cloning in the direction of transcription. Results By agarose gel electrophoresis, the forward promoter, target gene AaCPR100A and reverse promoter bands were clear and of good quality, which could be used for in-fusion cloning experiments. The two spore-producing-dependent promoters and target gene fragments were connected by In-fusion cloning. The recombinant vector pHT315-AaCPR100A was verified by PCR. The forward promoter, target gene fragment and reverse promoter were successfully amplified in the recombinant vector. Nucleotide sequencing verified that the sequencing results of the bidirectional promoter sequence and the target gene sequence were basically consistent with the sequence alignment results, which met the requirements of the construction of vector elements and proved that the recombinant vector was successfully constructed. Conclusions Based on the above results, this study proves that the recombinant shuttle vector with two spore-producing-dependent promoters can be successfully constructed by in-fusion cloning technology, laying the foundation for the construction of engineered Bacillus thuringiensis expressing dsRNA of AaCPR100A.

Background/Aims: We aimed to study the clinical characteristics, treatment modality, and the prognosis of synchronous multiple primary esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (SMPESCC). Methods: A total of 117 SMPESCC cases were evaluated retrospectively from 2010 to 2015. Results: The most common locations of SMPESCC were mid- and lower thoracic segments (n = 208, 84.9%). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 53.8%, 30.8%, and 15.4%, respectively; the median survival time (MST) was 12.5 months. With definitive radiotherapy and surgery, respectively, the MST of stage I/II patients were 34.2 and 26.7 months, of stage III patients were 8.3 and 13.2 months (p = 0.163), and of stage IV patients were and 8 and 12.6 months (p = 0.379). Clinical stage, family history of cancer, and Karnofsky performance status were independent prognostic factors for the whole cohort by Cox multivariate regression analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.859, p < 0.001; HR = 0.579, p = 0.032; and HR = 0.586, p = 0.013). Conclusions Although the prognosis of SMPESCC is poor, stage I/II patients can achieve long-term survival with aggressive treatment, especially those with a Karnofsky performance score 90 or higher and who have no family history of cancer. Definitive radiotherapy could achieve a similar survival rate to definitive surgery at different clinical stages.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease accompanied with laden economic burdens and heavy social resources consuming. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is an important subtype of the epilepsies. Our experiment was aimed to characterize the regional brain function alteration among the treatment na? ve TLE patients using ReHo. We found that elevated regional ReHo was in the left insula in the TLE patients, and the right one was cingulated, while the decreasing ReHo was in right putamen. Our result demonstrated that the key components associated with the epilepsy symptoms had altered the regional function in the TLE patients, and the disruption of cortex-thalamus-striatum loop. Our experiment provides evidence on the pathophysiological alteration in treatment na? ve TLE patients.
Adult ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Cerebral Cortex ; physiopathology ; Depression ; physiopathology ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; physiopathology ; Female ; Gyrus Cinguli ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

Multiple primary esophageal carcinoma (MPEC) is a special type of esophageal carcinoma, including multiple sites in esophagus and carcinomas in esophagus and other organs that mostly occurs in the head and neck as well as stomach.With the great advance of researches,knowledge and diagnostic technique, the diagnosis rate of MPEC has been improved.The biological behavior, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of MPEC differ from esophageal cancer alone.This paper summarizes the research progress of MPEC.

Objective:To correlate multiphase CT angiography (mCTA), serum lipid peroxidation (LPO) and thrombus precursor protein (TpP) levels with recurrence of acute cerebral infarction (ACI) in older adults and investigate the value of these indicators in the predication of ACI recurrence.Methods:A total of 128 older adult patients with ACI who received treatment in Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, China between January 2019 and January 2020 were included in this study. All of them were followed up for 1 year. They were divided into ACI recurrence group ( n = 29) and no ACI recurrence group ( n = 99) according to whether they had recurrent cerebral infarction. All patients underwent mCTA. Maas system and Tan score were used according to mCTA images. Serum TpP level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum LPO level was measured using Yagi's fluorescence method. Multiple linear regression analysis was used for correlation analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the efficacy of mCTA and serum LPO and TpP levels in the diagnosis of ACI. Results:Tan score in the ACI recurrence group was significantly lower than that in the no ACI recurrence group [(1.06 ± 0.26) points vs. (1.89 ± 0.82) points, t = 5.35, P < 0.05]. Serum TpP and LPO levels in the ACI recurrence group were (7.22 ± 1.35) mmol/L and (11.23 ± 2.58) nmol/mL, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the no ACI recurrence group [(3.06 ± 0.28) mmol/L, (7.23 ± 0.37) nmol/mL, t = 28.86, 15.04, both P < 0.001]. ACI recurrence in older adult patients was correlated with Tan score and serum LPO and TpP levels (both P < 0.05). The sensitivity of mCTA combined with serum LPO and TpP levels in the diagnosis of ACI in older adults was 93.10%-96.60% and its specificity was 100.00%. The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC of mCTA, LPO and TpP in the prediction of ACI recurrence in older adults was 0.986 (95% CI = 0.966-1.000), 0.976 (95% CI = 0.930-1.000) and 0.968 (95% CI = 0.905-1.000), respectively. Conclusion:ACI recurrence in older adults is correlated with Tan score and serum LPO and TpP levels. mCTA, Tan score, and serum LPO and TpP levels have high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of ACI recurrence in older adults, and therefore have a high diagnostic value.

Purpose To preliminarily establish a predictive model for assessing preterm birth in the first trimester via clinical history and multiple ultrasound parameters.Materials and Methods This study included 200 women in the first trimester of pregnancy from 6 to 8 weeks in the Affiliated Renhe Hospital of Three Gorges University from September 2020 to September 2021,and their clinical history,two-dimensional imaging data and cervical elastography data were collected.Logistic regression analysis,screening and assignment were performed to initially establish a clinical prediction model for evaluating preterm birth during the first trimester.Results Finally,41 pregnant women developed preterm birth(preterm birth group),and 159 pregnant women did not develop preterm birth(term group).History of miscarriage,history of preterm birth,uterocervical angle(UCA),A,and A1 were the independent risk factors for preterm birth via univariate analysis,and multivariate analysis was carried out to obtain the formula:Logit(P)=1.495×abortion history+1.060×A1+0.795×UCA+1.354×A-14.951,which had a good fit via Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test,and the diagnostic efficiency was 96.9%.Conclusion The early pregnancy prediction model can effectively predict the occurrence of preterm birth in pregnant women with singleton pregnancy.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and adverse events of salvage radiotherapy and other treatments for recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy in this Meta-analysis.Methods:Databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI and Wanfang data were searched from the inception to April 2020 to collect the clinical trials which comparatively analyzed the efficacy and safety between radiotherapy and other treatments for recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1 software. RR and 95% CI were used to describe the differences among different groups. Results:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 11 clinical trials involving 842 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that the overall survival in the salvage radiotherapy group was significantly lower than that in the salvage esophagectomy group ( RR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.27-0.61, P<0.001), whereas significantly higher than that in the chemotherapy group ( RR=2.91, 95% CI: 1.43-5.95, P=0.003). There was no significant difference in the treatment-related mortality between the salvage radiotherapy and salvage esophagectomy groups ( RR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.14-1.98, P=0.350), but the incidence was significantly higher in the salvage esophagectomy group (1.7%-11.4% vs. 1.9%-2.8%). Conclusion:Salvage radiotherapy is an effective treatment for recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy, which can be regarded as one choice for clinical patients.