This study aims to establish a method to determine the serum acetaminophen concentration based on diazo reaction, and apply it in the gastric emptying evaluation. Theoretically, acetaminophen could take hydrolysis reaction in hydrochloric acid solution to produce p-aminophenol, which could then take diazo reaction resulting in a product with special absorption peak at 312 nm. Then the serum acetaminophen concentration and recovery rate were calculated according to the standard curve drawn with absorbance at 312 nm. ICR mice were given a dose of acetaminophen (500 mg x kg(-1)) by gavage and the serum acetaminophen was dynamically measured through the diazo reaction. Besides, ICR mice were subcutaneously injected with the long-acting GLP-1 analog GW002 before the gavage of acetaminophen, and serum acetaminophen concentration was measured as above to study how GW002 could influence the gastric emptying. The data showed acetaminophen ranging from 0 to 160 μg x mL(-1) could take diazo reaction with excellent linear relationship, and the regression equation was y = 0.0181 x +0.0104, R2 = 0.9997. The serum acetaminophen was also measured with good linear relationship (y = 0.0045 x + 0.0462, R = 0.9982) and the recovery rate was 97.4%-116.7%. The serum concentration of acetaminophen reached peak at about 0.5 h after gavage, and then gradually decreased. GW002 could significantly lower the serum acetaminophen concentration and make the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) decrease by 28.4%. In conclusion, a method for the determination of serum acetaminophen based on the diazo reaction was established with good accuracy and could be used in the evaluation of gastric emptying.
Acetaminophen ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Aminophenols ; Animals ; Gastric Emptying ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR

Objective To analyze the outcomes and prognostic factors of esophageal carcinoma treated with three-dimensional eonformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). Methods From January 2001 to August 2007, 209 patients with esophageal carcinoma treated with 3DCRT were retrospectively analyzed. The local control rotes, the survival rates and the related prognostic factors were evaluated with SPSS 11.5 software. Results The follow-up rate was 98. 1% by December 2008. The number of patients followed up for 1,3, 4 and 5 years was 209,131,95 and 56, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 4-year local control rates were 74. 9%, 50. 4% and 45. 8%, respectively. The 1-, 3-and 4-year overall survival rates were 64. 6%, 30. 8% and 23.6%, respectively, with a median survival time of 18 months. Univariate analysis showed that the significant prognostic factors included the degree of dysphagia, tumor site, lesion length in barium esophagogram and CT image, the largest diameter of lesion in CT image, T stage, N stage, clinical TNM stage, short term effect, and degree of acute esophagitis. Multivariate analysis revealed that the degree of dysphagia, primary tumor site, clinical stage, and radiotherapy technique (3DCRT or late half course 3DCRT) were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions Three-dimensional conformai radiotherapy is effective and feasible in the treatment of esophageal cancer. The degree of dysphagia, primary tumor site, and clinical stage are independent prognostic factors for survival of patients treated with 3DCRT.

Objective To investigate the effects of inhibition of MDC1 protein expression on xenografted tumors in nude mice,and to observe the histopathological and cellular changes in nude mice.Methods Three pairs of effective and control short hairpin RNA targeting MDC1 mRNA were designed and cloned into the pSIH1-H1-copGFP vector.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to determine the mRNA and protein expression of MDC1.After selection by copGFP reporter gene,cells were divided into negative transfection group (ECA109-N) and MDC1 transfection group (ECA109-M).The transfected cells were injected into nude mice.The mice were divided into ECA109 group,ECA109-N group,and ECA109-M group.Each group was divided into irradiation subgroup and non-irradiation subgroup.The changes in tumor size after irradiation were evaluated in each group.Western blot was used to measure the expression of CHK1,CHK2,and CHK2T68 in xenografted tumors.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of tumor cells in nude mice.The variance analysis was used to compare the mean of multiple groups,and the SNK-q test was used in the two two groups.Results The pMDC1-shRNA plasmid was successfully constructed and used to transfect ECA109 cells.ECA109-M cells were obtained by stable transfection with the recombinant plasmid.All inoculated nude mice survived with visible xenografted tumors at the underside of the paw in about one week.There was no swelling and wound in inoculation sites.There was no significant difference in tumor size between different groups (P＞0.05).The tumor growth in the ECA109 group and the ECA109-N group significantly slowed down after irradiation with a dose of 15 Gy (P＜0.05).Compared with the other two groups,the ECA109-M group had a significant smaller tumor size,significantly slower relative tumor growth,and significantly higher growth inhibition (all P＜0.05).The q value of the ECA109-M group was 1.36.In the ECA109-M group,there were no significant changes in the protein expression of CHK1 and CHK2 after irradiation (P＞ 0.05);however,the phosphorylation of CHK2T68 protein was significantly reduced after irradiation (P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in cell cycle distribution or the proportion of apoptotic cells in tumor tissue between the three groups (P＞0.05).Conclusions Inhibition of MDC1 protein expression by RNA interference can effectively inhibit the growth of xenografted tumors after irradiation in the nude mice by increasing their radiosensitivity.

Objective To apply RNA interference technique for reducing the expression of MDC1 gene in esophageal carcinoma cell line ECA109, observe the changes in cell cycle and radiosensitivity after radiation, and discuss related mechanisms. Methods Three pairs of effective interference sequences and negative control sequences were synthesized for MDC1 mRNA sequence, and a recombinant plasmid was constructed with the vector pSIH1?H1?copGFP. RT?PCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression levels of MDC1 mRNA and protein. Colony?forming assay was applied to measure radiosensitivity, flow cytometry to determine cell cycle, Western blot to determine the expression of CHK1 and CHK2 proteins, and laser scanning confocal microscope to observe the number of MDC1 blotches inside the nucleus. One?way analysis of variance was used to analyze the differences between groups. Results The pSIH1?H1?copGFP plasmid was constructed successfully and ECA109 cells were infected to obtain ECA109M cells with stable transfection. The expression levels of MDC1 mRNA and protein in ECA109M cells were lower than those in ECA109N and ECA109 cells ( P= 0. 032 and 0. 041, respectively ) . After 5?Gy radiation, ECA109M cells had a lower proportion of G2+M cells than ECA109N and ECA109 cells ( P=0. 026) . After 5?Gy radiation, ECA109, ECA109N, and ECA109M cells had similar expression levels of CHK1 and CHK2 proteins ( P= 0. 345 and 0. 451, respectively ) , and ECA109M cells had a lower expression level of CHK2 T68 protein than ECA109 and ECA109N cells ( P=0. 012) . ECA109 cells had a D0 value of 3. 06 Gy and an SF2 value of 0. 91;the D0 values for ECA109N and ECA109M cells were 2. 90 Gy and 1. 88 Gy, respectively, and the SF2 values for them were 0. 89 and 0. 84, respectively ( P=0. 021 and 0. 037, respectively ) . Conclusions RNA interference can reduce the expression levels of MDC1 protein and cell cycle?related proteins, release cell cycle arrest, and enhance radiosensitivity in esophageal carcinoma ECA109 cells.

Quality control of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become bottlenecks of TCM industry devel-opment and TCM international recognition. To solve the retational problems, we explored the establishment of new quality control method based on efficacy and safety. Firstly, material basis of TCM efficacy was investigated deeply and systematically. Then, quality control method based on efficacy was established by using active ingre-dients as markers. We also establish detection methods based on safety, such as pesticide residues, heavy metals and harmful elements , mycotoxins .

Objective To analyze the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma and its influencing factors,and to provide an optimal combination mode of chemoradiotherapy for treating esophageal carcinoma. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data from 232 patients with esophageal carcinoma who were admitted to our hospital from January 2006 to December 2012 and received radical chemoradiotherapy. All patients received three?dimensional conformal radiotherapy or intensity?modulated radiotherapy as well as platinum?based chemotherapy. The overall survival ( OS ) and local control ( LC) rates were calculated using the Kaplan?Meier method and analyzed using the Logrank test. Univariate and multivariate prognostic analyses were made by the log?rank test and the Cox proportional hazard model,respectively. Results In all patients,the 1?,3?,and 5?year LC rates were 66?1%,42?2%, and 38?5%,respectively;the median LC time was 24?4 months;the 1?,3?,and 5?year OS rates were 73?3%, 37?2%,and 19?5%,respectively;the median OS time was 21 months. The univariate analysis revealed that T stage,N stage,clinical stage,irradiation range,and no less than 3 cycles of chemotherapy were influencing factors for OS ( P=0?000,0?000,0?000,0?030,0?001) and LC ( P=0?112,0?031,0?009,0?074,0?218) . The multivariate analysis revealed that N stage,clinical stage,and no less than 3 cycles of chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for OS ( P=0?006,0?000,0?001) . Conclusions The LC and long?term OS rates in patients with early?stage esophageal carcinoma can be substantially improved by radical chemoradiotherapy. The irradiation range and no less than 3 cycles of chemotherapy improve the long?term survival in patients.

This study is to evaluate the effects of the metformin (Met) on β cell function of diabetic KKAy mice. Female diabetic KKAy mice selected by insulin tolerance test (ITT) were divided randomly into two groups. Con group was orally administered by gavage with water, Met group with metformin hydrochloride at a dose of 0.2 g x kg(-1) for about 12 weeks. ITT and glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were determined. Beta cell function was assessed by hyperglycemic clamp. Pancreatic biochemical indicators were tested. The changes of gene and protein expression in the pancreas and islets were also analyzed by Real-Time-PCR and immunostaining. Met significantly improved glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in KKAy mice. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels were also decreased. In addition, Met markedly increased glucose infusion rate (GIR) and elevated the Ist phase and maximum insulin secretion during clamp. It showed that Met decreased TG content and iNOS activities and increased Ca(2+) -Mg(2+)-ATPase activity in pancreas. Islets periphery was improved, and down-regulation of glucagon and up-regulated insulin protein expressions were found after Met treatment. Pancreatic mRNA expressions of inflammation factors including TLR4, NF-κB, JNK, IL-6 and TNF-α were down-regulated, p-NF-κB p65 protein levels also down-regulated by Met. And mRNA expressions of ion homeostasis involved in insulin secretion including SERCA2 and Kir6.2 were up-regulated by Met. Met increased SIRT5 expression level in pancreas of KKAy mice under the hyperglycemic clamp. These results indicated that chronic administration of Met regulated pancreatic inflammation generation, ion and hormone homeostasis and improved β cell function of diabetic KKAy mice.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Homeostasis ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Insulin ; secretion ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Metformin ; pharmacology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Pancreas ; drug effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo analyze the outcomes and prognostic factors of advanced esophageal carcinoma treated by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT).MethodsFrom Jul 2001 to Dec 2006.375 patients with esophageal carcinoma treated by 3DCRT were retrospectively analyzed of which Ⅰ stage 9,Ⅱ stage 106,Ⅲ stage 158,Ⅳstage 102.The short-term effect,1-,3-,5-year local regional control rates and survival rates were investigated.The local regional control rates and survival rate were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate prognostic factor was analyzed by Logrank method.Multivariate prognostic factor was analyzed using Cox regression model.ResultsThe follow-up rate was 94.7％.The numbers of patients followed-up with 5 years was 191.The 1-,3-and 5-year local control rates were 80.5％,53.7％,44.9％respectively.The 1-, 3-and 5-year survival rates were 67.2％,29.4％,19.0％respectively.Univariate analysis showed the significant prognostic factors included the degree of dysphagia,tumor length,the largest diameter of lesion in CT image,T stage,N stage,clinical TNM stage,grades of acute radiation-induced esophagitis and grades of acute radiation-induced pneumonery ( x2 =46.75,18.52,30.24,42.53,32.71,75.68,7.13,4.64,P =0.000,0.000,0.000,0.000,0.000,0.000,0.008,0.031 ).Multivariate analysis revealed tumor length,clinical TNM stage,chemotherapy and grades of acute radiationinduced esophagitis were independent prognostic factors (x2 =6.70,18.00,4.87,1.1 8,P =0.030,0.000,0.027,0.011 ).Conclusions3DCRT is effective and feasible in treatment of the advanced esophageal carcinoma.Tumor lesion length,clinical TNM stage,chemotherapy and grades of acute radiation-induced esophagitis are independent prognostic factors for survival of patients.

Objective: This study was performed to analyze the feasibility of elective nodal irradiation (ENI) for early-stage esophageal carcinoma (EEC), evaluate the curative effect of radiation therapy for EEC, and determine the causes of treatment failure. Methods:Data were collected from 123 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma of clinical T1-2 N0-1 M0 stage. Patients were divided into two groups based on different types of radiation therapy. Among the 123 patients, 102 underwent involved field irradiation (IFI), whereas 21 received ENI. A comparative analysis of patients in the two groups was conducted. Results:In 123 patients, the one-, three-, and five-year overall survival rates were 87.8%, 47.2%, and 36.6%, respectively. By contrast, the one-, three-, and five-year local control rates were 89.4%, 67.5%, and 48.8%, respectively. After comparing the one-, three-, and five-year survival rates in the ENI patients (i.e., 90.5%, 47.6%, and 42.9%, respectively) with those in the IFI patients (i.e., 86.3%, 49.0%, and 35.2%, respectively), no significant difference was found (χ2=0.290, P=0.588 8). The results indicate that ENI possibly decreased nodal metastases (χ2=5.778, P=0.016). Conclusion:Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy is one of the best therapeutic regimens of radiation for EEC. ENI is possibly effective for preventing regional nodal metastasis. Whether ENI leads to an improved overall survival needs further investigation.

This study aims to determine a reasonable clinical staging standard for patients with esophageal carcinoma who were receiving non-surgical treatment. The patients were staged on the basis of the (2004 and 2009 editions of clinical staging stan-dards. The prognosis of patients with different staging standards, as well as the effect of gross tumor volume-tumor (GTV-T) on clinical T stage and prognosis, was observed. Methods:Data on 219 patients with esophageal carcinoma who were receiving radical radiothera-py were retrospectively analyzed. Prior to radiotherapy, all patients underwent examinations, including esophageal barium meal and po-sitioning CT scan, for use in the radiation treatment planning system to outline the target range and to calculate the volume of GTV-T. All patients were staged with the use of the aforementioned clinical staging standards. Prognostic outcomes of the patients were ob-served. Results:For all patients, the one-, three-, and five-year overall survival rates were 70.8%, 35.6%, and 20.7%, respectively. The survival curve resolution of patients who were staged with the use of the 2009 edition of clinical staging standards was better than that of the patients who were staged with the use of the 2004 edition. Survival difference was significant (χ2=29.497, P<0.001). The clinical T stage positively correlated with GTV-T (r=0.615, P<0.001). GTV-T could thus affect prognosis at different T stages. Conclusion:Both esophageal carcinoma clinical staging standards could reflect the prognosis of patients undergoing radiotherapy, but the 2009 edi-tion appeared more accurate than the 2004 edition.