Objective To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib on the treatment of advanced NSCLC with brain metastases.Methods 17 cases received gefitinib 250 mg/m2/d,30 days a cycle.Results Objective response rate of 35.3% was achieved,and DCR was 70.6% ,the toxic reactions could be controlled with relative therapy.Conclusion Gefitinib is effective and well tolerable for advanced NSCLC with brain metastases.It is worth to be used.

OBJECTIVETo compare the different prognosis between enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) in patients after gastrointestinal surgery (GIS), and to investigate a reasonable regimen of enteral nutrition (EN) after GIS.

METHODSRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) on EN/PN after GIS from 1970 to 2008 retrieved from the data bank of Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were analyzed. Evaluation endpoints were anastomotic dehiscence, infection (catheter sepsis, wound infection, pneumonia, intra-abdominal abscess and urinary tract infection), vomiting and abdominal distention, other complications, length of hospital stay and mortality rate.

RESULTSTwenty-three RCTs including 2784 patients met the entering criteria. Compared with PN, EN was beneficial in the reduction of anastomotic dehiscence (RR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.50 - 0.91; P = 0.010), infections (RR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.64 - 0.81; P < 0.001), other complication (RR = 0.82, 95%CI: 0.73 - 0.92; P < 0.001) and duration of hospital stay (weighted mean difference: -3.60; 95%CI: -3.88 - -3.32; P < 0.001). But the risk of vomiting was increased among patients with EN (RR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.21 - 1.59; P < 0.001), and there was no significant differences in mortalities between the two groups (P = 0.400).

CONCLUSIONSThere is no advantage in treating patients 'nil by mouth' after gastrointestinal surgery. It indicated that early commencement of enteral feeding is beneficial.

Enteral Nutrition ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; surgery ; Humans ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Postoperative Care ; Prognosis ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of thalidomide in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

METHODSTwelve children with JIA who did not respond to conventional treatment were administered with thalidomide (2 mg/kg daily). The symptoms, signs, and laboratory test results were compared before and after treatment. The thalidomide-related side effects were observed.

RESULTSThe average dosage of prednisone was reduced from 1.92 ± 0.16 mg/kg•d to 0.49 ± 0.42 mg/kg•d in the 12 patients 6 months after thalidomide treatment (P<0.01). Four patients did not need prednisone treatment any more. White blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP) and serum ferritin (SF) significantly decreased after treatment in all of 12 patients (P<0.01). Hemoglobin level increased to normal in 8 patients after treatment (P<0.01). The number of affected joints decreased from 5 before treatment to zero to 2 after treatment in patients with polyarticular JIA (P<0.01). Signs of hip involvement and Schober's sign turned negative in enthesitis-related cases. No thalidomide-related side effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONSThalidomide is effective in the treatment of JIA in children who do not respond to conventional treatment.

Adolescent ; Arthritis, Juvenile ; blood ; drug therapy ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Thalidomide ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate various activities of dissolved matter of glycyrrhizic acid of Radix Glycyrrhizae and the powder by supermicro-pulverization.

METHODThe contents of glycyrrhizic acid in different samples were tested.

RESULTThe dissolved matter of glycyrrhizic acid was greatly increased by supermicro-pulverization. The more time used for grinding, the smaller the size of the powder, and the easier the glycyrrhizic acid would be dissolved.

CONCLUSIONSupermicro-pulverization is helpful to the dissolved matter of glycyrrhizic acid of Radix Glycyrrhizae, and the size of powder exerts great influence on dissolved matter of glycyrrhizic acid.

Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; analysis ; Particle Size ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Powders ; Solubility

OBJECTIVETo understand the influence of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and beta3-adrenergic receptor (beta3-AR) gene Trp64Arg polymorphism on fetal growth and neonatal insulin sensitivity.

METHODSTotally 296 newborn infants were selected into our study and divided into 2 groups according to gestational age and birth weight: adequate-for-gestational-age (AGA) group (222 cases) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) group (74 case). Serum glucose and insulin were examined in the morning of the 3rd day before milk. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) equation. beta3-AR gene Trp64Arg polymorphism and ACE gene I/D polymorphism (202 cases) were analysed using polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Gestational age, birth weight, birth weight percentage, serum glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR were compared among different genotype groups. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 10.0 software.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found between the serum glucose level of SGA group (4.03 +/- 1.05 mmol/L) and AGA group (4.05 +/- 1.14 mmol/L), P = 0.008. The serum insulin level (converted into Ln) of SGA group (2.262 +/- 0.746) was significantly higher than that of AGA group (1.757 +/- 0.805), P < 0.001. The HOMA-IR (also converted into Ln) level of SGA group (0.217 +/- 0.367) was also significantly higher than that of AGA group (0.001 +/- 0.378), P < 0.001. In the SGA group beta3-AR gene Arg64 allele carriers had higher serum insulin and HOMA-IR level (both changed to Ln, 2.654 +/- 0.701, 0.371 +/- 0.338) compared with noncarriers (2.074 +/- 0.698, 0.143 +/- 0.360), P < 0.05. The ACE gene DD genotype carriers had higher serum insulin and HOMA-IR level (both were converted into Ln, 2.19 +/- 0.91, 0.51 +/- 1.01) compared with II (1.77 +/- 0.85, 0.02 +/- 0.93) and ID genotype group (1.77 +/- 0.83, 0.05 +/- 0.91), P < 0.05. The ACE gene DD carriers had lower birth weight percentage compared with II and ID genotype group, P < 0.05. When both genes' polymorphisms were taken into account, the newborns who had both DD genotype and Arg64 allele had obviously higher serum insulin level (Ln, 2.560 +/- 1.160) than the neonates who had only one of the polymorphisms mentioned above (1.970 +/- 0.821, 1.992 +/- 0.706) and the neonates who had neither of the two polymorphisms (1.683 +/- 0.832), P < 0.05. The newborns who had both DD genotype and Arg64 allele also had significantly higher HOMA-IR level (Ln, 1.042 +/- 1.315) than the neonates who had only one of the polymorphisms mentioned above (0.247 +/- 0.710, 0.230 +/- 0.890) and the neonates who had neither of the two polymorphisms (-0.053 +/- 0.924), P < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONNewborns SGA had impaired insulin sensitivity. beta3-AR gene Trp64Arg polymorphism and ACE gene I/D polymorphism are important factors that may connect IUGR with insulin resistance syndrome in adulthood.

Female ; Fetal Development ; genetics ; Humans ; INDEL Mutation ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study serum gastrin levels in response to early minimal feeding in premature infants and evaluate the clinical effect of early minimal feeding.

METHODSPremature infants with critical score < or = 90 were randomly assigned into two groups: early minimal feeding group (n = 48), non-early minimal feeding group (n = 47). Other premature infants (n = 30) without any complications (critical score > 90) were assigned as normal control group. The premature infants in normal control group were fed with water at 6 h after birth, 1 - 2 ml/kg every time, after once or twice, they were fed with formula, increasing in the amount of formula gradually, until adequate. The premature infants in early minimal feeding group were fed with formula within 72 h after birth, 0.5 - 1 ml/kg, once every 3 h, the amount of formula was increased gradually, until adequate. The premature infants without early minimal feeding were not fed with formula until the illness was stable, the amount of formula was increased gradually until adequate. Situation of gastrointestinal feeding tolerance, growth and development, and clinical symptoms were observed and recorded for the three groups. Serum gastrin levels were monitored at 1, 3, 7 day after birth by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSSerum gastrin concentrations in the three groups elevated from 1 to 7 days. In early minimal feeding group [(82.4 +/- 24.5) ng/L] and non-early minimal feeding group [(87.0 +/- 40.2) ng/L], the concentrations were significantly higher than those in normal control group [(66.4 +/- 19.7) ng/L] at day 1 (F = 3.36, P < 0.05). At day 3 and 7, the concentrations in early minimal feeding group [(96.3 +/- 14.6) ng/L, (113.0 +/- 16.5) ng/L] were significantly higher than those in non-early minimal feeding group [(73.9 +/- 13.5) ng/L, (92.4 +/- 12.2) ng/L] (P < 0.05). There were significant differences among the three groups in infants with feeding intolerance (2/30, 5/48, 14/47), the period reached full enteral feeding [(20.6 +/- 5.7) d, (27.8 +/- 6.1) d, (39.5 +/- 4.7) d], and in number of hospital day [(29.0 +/- 4.6) d, (39.0 +/- 4.8) d, (48.0 +/- 5.6) d] (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between early minimal feeding group and non-early minimal feeding group in the weight gain three and four weeks after birth [(19.1 +/- 2.4) g/d, (11.9 +/- 3.3) g/d], the period reached birthweight [(19.8 +/- 4.2) d, (25.2 +/- 5.1) d] (P < 0.05). There were no significant difference among the three groups in the weight gain in one and two weeks after birth [(5.9 +/- 2.9) g/d vs. (5.0 +/- 2.1) g/d], the numbers of premature infants with infection, anemia, apnea, or hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSIONEarly minimal feeding in premature infants leads to secretion of gastrin, promotes the development of gastrointestine and may not be associated with occurrence of complications.

Birth Weight ; Enteral Nutrition ; methods ; Female ; Gastrins ; blood ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; growth & development ; Humans ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; blood ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the status of pubertal development in children born with assisted reproductive technology (ART).

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed on the pubertal development data of children born with ART in Peking University Third Hospital from 1994 to 2003 (ART group). The data in the cross-sectional study "Reports on the Physical Fitness and Health Research of Chinese School Students in 2010" were used as a control. The age at menarche and the age at spermarche were compared between the two groups. The status of pubertal development in the overweight and obese children in the ART group was evaluated to investigate the correlation between pubertal development and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTSA total of 200 children born with ART were enrolled in this study, and 72 of them (41 males and 31 females) completed the survey (response rate=36.0%). In the ART group, the mean age at spermarche and the mean age at menarche were 13.9 years (95%CI: 13.7-14.3 years) and 12.2 years (95%CI: 11.8-12.6 years), respectively. There were no significant differences in the age at spermarche and the age at menarche between the ART and control groups (P>0.05). In the ART group, there were no significant differences in the age at spermarche and the age at menarche between the overweight and obese children and the normal weight children (P>0.05). There were also no significant differences in overweight rate and obesity rate between the children in the ART group and the adolescents in Beijing (P>0.05). In the ART group, there was no significant correlation between the age at spermarche or menarche and BMI (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNo delayed or precocious puberty is observed in children born with ART. This is consistent with the normal control data. And there is no significant correlation between pubertal development and BMI in children born with ART.

Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child Development ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Menarche ; Obesity ; physiopathology ; Overweight ; physiopathology ; Puberty ; physiology ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and left ventricular mass (LVM) in newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

METHODSSeventy-two newborns admitted to the NICU were enrolled. ACE genotypes were determined by genomic DNA which was isolated from heel-prick blood. Disease status of the newborns was evaluated by the Neonatal Critical Score (draft) on postnatal day 1. LVM and LVM index (LVMI) were evaluated by echocardiography on postnatal days 1-3.

RESULTSDD genotype was identified in 11 cases, ID genotype in 31 cases, and II genotype in 30 cases. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics, critical score and body measurements in newborns with different genotypes. The DD genotype group showed significantly lower LVMI than the group with ID+II genotypes (29±4 g/m2 vs 35±8 g/m2; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSACE gene polymorphism is associated with the LVMI in newborns admitted to the NICU. The LVMI of DD genotype carriers is significantly lower than that of ID+II genotypes carriers, which suggests that D allele may be associated with the growth and development of left ventricular.

Echocardiography ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Genotype ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Male ; Mutagenesis, Insertional ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Objective To investigate the effect of pathologically elevated cyclic strain induced by hypertension on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the role of long non-coding RNA (IncRNA)-XR007793 during this process. Methods Flexcell-4000 tension system was used to apply physiologically (5% magnitude) and pathologically (15% magnitude) cyclic strain with frequency of 1.25 Hz on VSMCs for 24 h respectively. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of XR007793 and 4 co-expressed genes: signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2), cell division cycle associated 8 (CDCA8), proto-oncogene LMO2 and interferon regulatory factor (IRF7). Western blot was used to detect the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) level in VSMCs. RNA inference was used to inhibit XR007793 expression. The cell cycle of VSMCs was measured by flow cytometry in static condition and the cell proliferation was detected by Brdu-Elisa in cyclic strain loading condition. Results Compared with 5% cyclic strain, 15% cyclic strain remarkably decreased the XR007793 level and increased the proliferation of VSMCs，along with the increasing expression of STAT2 and CDCA8. XR007793 specific siRNA transfection under static condition decreased the expression of XR007793 and increased the VSMC proliferation. Under 15% cyclic strain, XR007793 specific siRNA transfection also increased the VSMC proliferation and the expression of CDCA8 compared with the non-specific siRNA control. Conclusions Pathologically elevated cyclic strain decreases the XR007793 expression level and increases the CDCA8 expression level to modulate VSMC proliferation. These results provide new experimental evidence for the study of mechanobiological mechanism during hypertension and potential targets for hypertension therapy.

Objective To investigate the role of microRNAs (miRs) in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs）induced by endothelial insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) under low shear stress (LowSS). Methods Endothelial cells (ECs) and VSMCs were co-cultured and exposed to normal shear stress (NSS, 1.5 Pa) and LowSS (0.5 Pa) for 12 h with parallel plate flow chamber system, respectively. Real-time PCR was used to examine the expression levels of miRs. The target genes of miR-133b were predicted by multiple algorithms. The expression of polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (Ptbp1) and N-myc downstream regulated 1 (Ndrg1) in VSMCs was detected by Western blotting. The VSMC proliferation was detected by EdU flow cytometry assay. Results After treated with recombinant IGF-1, the expression of both miR-133b and miR-378a in VSMCs was increased. Compared with NSS, LowSS significantly induced the expression of miR-133b in the co-cultured VSMCs, but had no obvious effect on miR-378a. In VSMCs, the protein and mRNA levels of Ptbp1 and Ndrg1 were down-regulated by miR-133b mimics. miR-133b inhibitor up-regulated the mRNA levels of Ptbp1 and Ndrg1. miR-133b overexpression promoted the proliferation of VSMCs significantly. Conclusions IGF-1 secreted by ECs in response to LowSS can upregulate the expression of miR-133b in the co-cultured VSMCs, which subsequently depresses the expression of Ptbp1 and Ndrg1, and induces the proliferation of VSMCs eventually. The research findings provide a potential new target for cardiovascular disease therapy.