Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and adverse reaction caused by Capecitabine compared with S-1 as maintenance treat-ments for patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) after first-line induction chemotherapy. Methods:A total of 130 AGC patients who did not suffer disease progression after first-line chemotherapies, including XELOX (four to six cycles), SOX (four to six cycles), and mFOLFOX6 regimen (six to eight cycles), were randomized into three groups. The Capecitabine group (Cap) received maintenance che-motherapy with Capecitabine (1 000 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days, 21 days/cycle), while the S-1 group (S1) received S-1 (40, 50, or 60 mg according to the body surface area and orally administered twice a day for 14 days, 21 days/cycle). The control group was consid-ered as the observation group. Patients with maintenance treatments received drugs until disease progression or observation of intol-erant toxicity. Results:A total of 44, 33, and 53 patients received XELOX, SOX, and mFOLFOX6 regimens, respectively. The overall DCR was 63.1%. Among the 82 patients, 35, 28, and 19 belonged to the Cap, S1, and observation groups, respectively. The comparison be-tween the efficacy of treatments in the Cap and S1 groups did not show statistically significant differences (P=0.678). The median time of progression was 8.5 months in the Cap group and 9.0 months in the S1 group (P>0.05). Both groups showed better responses than the observation group, which demonstrated a median progression of 6.0 months (P<0.001). The median overall survivals were 14.5, 15.0, and 14.0 months in the Cap, S-1, and observation groups, respectively (P=0.188). The most common adverse effects observed among the patients with maintenance treatments included myelo-suppression, gastrointestinal reaction, fatigue, hand-foot syndrome, and stomatitis. No death occurred in relation to the therapy. Conclusion:The effectiveness of Capecitabine and S-1 as maintenance chemotherapies in AGC patients after the first-line induction chemotherapy are similar, and both can prolong the time of disease pro-gression with low toxicity.

Linezolid is the first oxazolidinone antibacterial drug approved by the FDA, which can effectively treat various gram-positive bacterial infections, including blood infections, skin and soft tissue infections, community and hospital-acquired pneumonia. It has become one of the most commonly used antibiotics in clinical. In addition to the recently launched tedizolid phosphate (TR701) and contezolid (MRX-I), several oxazolidinone anti-infective candidates are currently under clinical research. This review briefly introduces the oxazolidinone antibiotics that have been marketed and are in clinical trials, and recent progress on the structure optimization of oxazolidinone drugs is also summarized.

The author has explored the cultivation mode of medical postgraduates which fits our country need and scientifically adopted the different cultivation mode for postgratuates of different degree and level to find out the cultivation mode that suits medical postgraduate of our university and lay a good basis for cultivating excellent doctors.

The purity of 4,4′-dimethoxy-5,6,5′,6′-bis (methylenedioxy)-2′-morpholine methylenebiphenyl-2-methyl formate methanesulfonate (IMH), a new drug for fatty liver treatment, was determined through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Analysis of two-factor non repeatability method was performed in the investigation the effects of two factors (heating rate and sample weight) on purity determination. The DSC experimental parameters were optimized as follows: heating rate was 10 ℃·min^-1, temperature range was 150-300 ℃, sample weight was 2.0-4.1 mg, and N₂ flow rate was 80 mL·min^-1. The linear correlation coefficient (r) of this DSC method was 0.999 8. The RSD value (n = 6) of precision was 0.03%. The standard value and uncertainty of the purity results of the multiple batches of IMH drugs were (99.74 ± 0.29)%, (99.91 ± 0.28)%, (99.90 ± 0.28)%, and (99.81 ± 0.28)% with inclusion factor (K) of 2 and confidence probability (P) of 0.95. The results were basically consistent with the results of the mass balance method. The DSC mehod is a simple, rapid and accurate method, and provides a new reference method for determining the purity of IMH drugs, improves the accuracy and reliability of purity determination.

Disease Management ; Hospitals ; standards ; Humans

OBJECTIVESome neonates especially premature infants, low birth weight infants and extremely low birth weight infants have limited endogenous energy stores. It is necessary to establish continuous administration of postnatal nutrition. The use of parenteral nutrition (PN) in neonates with immaturity of digestive system and intentionally delayed feedings has gained widespread acceptance. PN has been shown to provide sufficient nutrients to maintain growth in newborn infants. The major complication of PN in neonates is PN-associated cholestasis (PNAC). It remains a significant and frequent clinical problem for neonatal practitioners. In some cases, progressive liver damage, liver failure and death may become inevitable. In order to analyze the risk factors of the PNAC in neonates and to provide the evidence of safety and efficiency in clinical nutrition support, the clinical data of 612 neonates who had received PN for more than 5 days during the past 20 years were reviewed.

METHODSRetrospective analysis on data collected from April 1985 to March 2005 was performed. The records of 612 neonates were divided into two groups according to the established Nutrition Support Team (NST) in our hospital. Each group included two sub-groups. Seventy neonates of the first group were divided into PNAC group (n = 6) and non-PNAC group (n = 64); these patients were seen between 1st April 1985 and 31st March 1995. The remaining 542 neonates of the second group who were also divided into 2 groups, i.e. PNAC group (n = 12) and non-PNAC group (n = 530) who were seen from 1st April 1995 through 31st March 2005. The incidence of PNAC between the first group and the second group was compared and the associated factors were analyzed. The PNAC was defined when serum level of direct-bilirubin exceeded 1.5 mg/dl or direct-bilirubin greater than 50% of the bilirubin and excluding cholestasis resulted from other diseases.

RESULTSThe total incidence of PNAC in neonates who had received TPN for more than 5 days was 2.94%. The incidence of PNAC of the first and the second decade was 8.57% and 2.21%, respectively (OR = 0.242, 95% CI = 0.088 approximately 0.666). The average gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) of PNAC group were less than those of the non-PNAC group (GA: (33 +/- 5) w vs. (36 +/- 4) w, P = 0.009; OR = 0.827, 95% CI = 0.698 approximately 0.980. BW: (2003 +/- 743) g vs. (2393 +/- 764) g, P = 0.045; OR = 1.001, 95% CI = 0.999 approximately 1.002). The PN duration and calorie intake of PNAC group was longer than that of the non-PNAC group (PN duration: 32 +/- 30 d vs. (13 +/- 10) d, P = 0.000; OR = 1.072, 95% CI = 1.032 approximately 1.112. Calorie intake: [(272 +/- 46) kJ/(kg.d)] [(65.0 +/- 10.9) kcal/(kg.d)] (1 kcal = 4.184 kJ) vs. [(232 +/- 55) kJ/(kg.d) (55.5 +/- 13.1) kcal/(kg.d)], (P = 0.002; OR = 1.066, 95% CI = 1.012 approximately 1.122), but the weight gain in the non-PNAC group had a tendency to increase as compared to that of the PNAC group [(20 +/- 27) g/d vs. (9 +/- 19) g/d, P = 0.175].

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of PNAC was associated with the longer duration of PN, the smaller age at initiation of PN, the higher calorie intake, prematurity and lower birth weight. Establishment of the nutrition support team can normalize the practice of the PN administration and decrease the incidence of the complication with nutrition support. It is a favorable mode and it can provide a safer, more effective and reasonable means in clinical nutrition support. To avoid PNAC, it is suggested that the administration of enteric feeding should start as soon as possible, which may enhance effective contraction of gallbladder and secretion of gastrointestinal hormones, and it is best to avoid high calorie of PN and control the calorie intake under 251.04 approximately 334.72 kJ/(kg.d) [60 approximately 80 kcal/(kg.d)].

Cholestasis ; complications ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; physiology ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; Male ; Parenteral Nutrition ; adverse effects

Objective To provide technical support for market supervision of TCM decoction pieces in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei districts; To facilitate the medical treatment of people in the three districts. Methods A comparative study and analysis on processing procedures of TCM decoction pieces in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei districts was conducted. Results There were some differences in TCM decoction pieces in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei districts. The quality of TCM decoction pieces is easy to be contradictory according to different standards. Conclusion It is badly in need of a unified standard for the preparation of TCM decoction pieces.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of the single and mixed decoction of Thallus laminariae (kelp) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) on the metabolism and their difference. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice and the single decoction were made and intragastrically administered to the SD rats. The effect on system metabolism, the toxicity of liver and kidney were assessed by GC-MS profiling of the endogenous molecules in serum, routine biochemical assays and histographic inspection of tissues from SD rats, separately. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice induced more obvious pathological abnormalities in SD rats than a single decoction of kelp, while the extracts of licorice did not show any pathological change. Neither the mixed, nor the single decoction showed abnormal histopathology. After intragastric administration of extracts for 5 days, the mixed decoction induced a decrease of ALT (no significant change in the groups of single decoction) and an increase of BUN (so did the single decoction of kelp). Metabolomic profile of the molecules in serum revealed that the metabolic patterns were all obviously affected for the three groups, i.e., the mixed and single decoction of kelp and licorice. The rats given with the single decoction of kelp showed a similar pattern to that of the mixed decoction, indicating that the kelp primarily contributed the perturbation of metabolism for the mixed decoction. All three groups induced a decrease of branched chain amino acids, TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates (e.g., pyruvic acid and lactic acid) and an increase of 3-hydroxybutyric acid. Kelp decoction showed stronger potential in reducing TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates than the other two groups, while the levels of branched chain amino acids were the lowest after licorice extracts were given. These results suggested that the effect of the mixed decoction on metabolism was closely associated with both kelp and licorice. The continuous administration of single decoction of kelp and the mixed decoction of licorice and kelp resulted in pathological abnormalities in kidney of SD rats. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice distinctly perturbed sera molecules and hence system metabolism, which showed associated with those of kelp and licorice. Although the metabolic effect was associated with both kelp and licorice, the results suggested kelp contributed to it primarily.
Animals ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Kelp ; chemistry ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Metabolomics ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDDiagnosis and treatment for respiratory symptoms (RSs) of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is more difficult than that for common esophageal symptoms. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency (RF) treatment on RSs of GERD in a preliminary 12-month follow-up observation.

METHODSFrom April 2006 to October 2008, 505 GERD patients with mainly respiratory presentations such as wheezing, chronic cough or hoarseness, were treated by endoscopic RF. A questionnaire was completed before and after treatment, using a six-point scale ranging from 0 to 5 to assess symptom severity and frequency. The symptom score was the sum of frequency and severity.

RESULTSSymptom scores were significantly improved at the end of the follow-up period. The mean heartburn score decreased from 5.31 to 1.79. The mean regurgitation score decreased from 5.02 to 1.64; mean cough score decreased from 6.77 to 2.85; mean wheezing score decreased from 7.83 to 3.07; and mean hoarseness score decreased from 5.13 to 1.81 (P < 0.01). No major complications or deaths occurred. Minor complications included temporary post-procedural retrosternal unease or pain (n = 106; 21.0%), mild fever (n = 86; 17.0%), transient nausea/vomiting (n = 97; 19.2%), and transient dysphagia (n = 42; 9.3%). Thirty-five (6.9%) patients had recurrence of symptoms. Endoscopic RF treatment was repeated in six patients, and laparoscopic fundoplication was performed in seven.

CONCLUSIONEndoscopic RF is an effective and safe means to treat RSs in patients with GERD.

Adult ; Aged ; Cough ; surgery ; Esophagogastric Junction ; physiopathology ; radiation effects ; Esophagoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Heartburn ; surgery ; Hoarseness ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radio Waves ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate 18q21 LOH in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas and chronic pancreatitis by fluorescence in-situ hybrydization (FISH) technique, and to analyze the relationship between 18q21 LOH and clinicopathologic characteristics.

METHODSRP11-729G3 and RP11-850A17, the regions on 18q21, were selected as the target fragments, the region RP11-621L6, close to the centromere of chromosome 18, was selected as the reference fragment. The specific BAC clones were used to isolate and purify the corresponding genomic DNA, which were labeled with biotin or DIG by nick translation into dual color probes. 18q21 LOH was assessed by dual-color FISH in 30 cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and 10 cases of chronic pancreatitis. All samples were 10% formalin fixed and paraffin embedded. The relationship between 18q21 LOH and clinicopathologic characteristics was analyzed.

RESULTSAmong 30 cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, 25 cases showed LOH at the region RP11-729G3 (83.3%), and 26 cases showed LOH at the region RP11-850A17 (86.6%). Among these, 25 cases with LOH at both regions, 1 case showed LOH only at the region of RP11-850A17. No LOH was found in 10 cases of chronic pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS18q21 LOH is a high-frequency event in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. LOH at the regions RP11-729G3 and RP11-850A17 demonstrates a high concordance. 18q21 may play an important role during pancreatic carcinogenesis and tumor progression. 18q21 LOH may be used as a diagnostic marker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; classification ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; classification ; genetics ; Chromosome Mapping ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Loss of Heterozygosity ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; classification ; genetics ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; classification ; genetics