Objective To investigate the clinical significance of airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil (Eos) percentage,levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) in induced sputum in elderly patients with late onset asthma (LOA) during the remission period. Methods Fifty-eight elderly patients with LOA during the remission period were selected.Bronchial challenge test was performed and the percentage of Eos and levels of ECP and IL-5 in induced sputum were measured by Wrights' stain,immuno-CAP system and ELISA,respectively.Twenty-five elderly patients with LOA during their exacerbation period and 15 healthy elderly subjects were selected as control.Results In fifty-eight LOA patients during their remission period,49 cases (84.5%) showed positive bronchial challenge test and 9cases(15.5%) negative.The percentage of Eos,levels of ECP and IL-5[(9.3?3.1)%],[(144.2?68.1)?g/L]and [(20.3?6.3)?g/L],in induced sputum in patients with LOA during their remission period were lower than those[(21.1?9.8)%, (399.3?172.5)?g/L and[(50.6?10.7)?g/L,respectively]in LOA group during the exacerbation period,and higher than those[(1.3?0.7)%,(48.7?21.9)?g/L and (10.3?3.2)?g/L]in healthy group(all P

Objective:Bioinformatics was used to analyze the gene expression profile of renal chromophobe cell carcinoma (RCCC) to find out the key genes of RCCC.Methods:Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma gene chip data GSE15641 and GSE11151 were downloaded from the GEO database. Using R software packages such as " Affy" and " limma" in R software to screen differentially expressed genes, combining with David and STRING online bioinformatics tools to analyze the regulatory network of differentially expressed genes and construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, the Hub gene was screened through the Cytohubba plug-in of Cytoscape software.Results:A total of 261 differentially expressed genes were screened, including 194 down-regulated genes and 67 up-regulated genes. Gene enrichment (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed to explore their biological functions. In GO enrichment analysis, biological processes were mainly enriched in cell secretion, gluconeogenesis and cell proliferation regulation; in cell composition, they were mainly enriched in exosomes, plasma membranes and their components; in molecular function, they were mainly enriched in heparin binding; in KEGG pathway analysis, they were mainly enriched in metabolic pathway, antibody biosynthesis pathway and renin angiotensin system pathway. PPI network was constructed by using online bioinformatics tools. The top 10 Hub genes were screened by using cytohubba plug-in in Cytoscape software, which were pipecolic acid and sarcosine oxidase (PIPOX), hydroxyacid oxidase 2 (HAO2), kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), solute carrier family 2 member 2 (SLC2A2), formimidoyltransferase cyclodeaminase (FTCD), angiogenin (ANG), APOBEC1 complementation factor (A1CF), aldehyde dehydrogenase 8 family member A1 (ALDH8A1), vitamin D binding protein (GC), histidine rich glycoprotein (HRG).Conclusions:Bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed genes in renal chromophobe cell carcinoma can effectively explore the interaction information of these differentially expressed genes, and provide new ideas for the treatment of renal chromophobe cell carcinoma.

Objective To improve the quality of the management of the elderly patients with cancer in Sichuan province,and to understand the attitudes and perspectives of elderly surgeons and oncologists for the management and treatment of elderly patients with cancer.Methods A face-toface questionnaire interview was conducted with oncologists (n 64) and geriatricians (n =64).128 physicians were involved in this study.Results The cancer management and therapeutics were deemed appropriate at present by 9.38％ (6/64)of the geriatricians and 25.00％ (16/64)of the oncologists.The 39.06％ (25/64) of geriatricians used to notice geriatric syndromes,while 81.25％ (52/64)of oncologists never concerned about the geriatric syndrome(P=0.011).As for the causes of the therapy-associated toxicity,oncologist versus geriatrician payed an attention to malnutrition (100.00％ vs.100.00％ in both groups),to mobility disorders(65.63％ vs.65.63％,84/128 in both groups),to cognitive impairment/mood disorder (89.06％ in geriatrician group vs.75.00％ in oncologist group,P=0.038).For the factors affecting treatment decisions,a physical ability attention (oncologists vs geriatricians:70.31％ vs.92.19％;P =0.002),and comorbidity (oncologists vs geriatricians:62.50％ vs.79.69％,P =0.032) had statistically significant difference.In addition,lack of geriatrics knowledge was also reported by more oncologists.However,one hundred percent of participants wanted very much to cooperate with each other in their clinical work.When responding to the clinical scenario,the 10.94％ (7/64)of geriatricians and 32.81％ (21/64)of oncologists chose modified treatment for 65-74 years old patient with cancer(P =0.003).When the age of the patients was 75-84 years old,only 12.50 ％ (8/64) of geriatricians prefer end-of-life care,while 31.25 ％ (20/64) of oncologists chose it (P =0.010).Conclusions Selection of treatment decisions in the elderly patients with cancer affect by ageing.Both oncologists and geriatricians are concerned with the elderly patients with cancer,ageing syndrome,total sickness and functional status.And these doctors support an establishment of a multi disciplinary team cooperation for the elderly patients with cancer.Therefore,the establishment of mutual cooperation between the two professionals is necessary and feasible.

Metabolic characteristics of 39 human brain tumor tissues, including 15 astrocytomas, 13 fibroblastic meningiomas and 11 transitional meningiomas from 39 individual patients, have been studied using high resolution magic-angle spinning (HRMAS) 1H NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA). With rich metabolite information, 1H NMR spectra showed that the tumor-tissuc metabonome was dominated by lipids, lactate, myo-inositol, ereatine, choline metabolites such as choline, phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine, amino acids such as alanine, glutamate, glutamine, taurine, N-acetyl-aspartate and glutathione. PCA of the tumor NMR spectra clearly showed metabonomic differences between low-grade astrocytomas and meningiomas whereas such differences were more moderate between fibroblastic and transitional meningiomas. Compared with meningiomas, the low-grade astrocytomas had higher levels of glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, myo-inositol and creatine but lower levels of alanine, glutamate, glutamine, glutathione and taurine. The N-acetyl-aspartate level was low but detectable in low-grade astrocytomas whereas it was not detectable in meningiomas. It is concluded that tissue metabonomics technology consisting of HRMAS 1H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis (MVDA) offers a useful tool (1) for distinguishing different types of brain tumors, (2) for providing the metabolic information for human brain tumors, which are potentially useful for understanding biochemistry of tumor progression.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEAccumulating data indicate that docetaxel plus cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil has certain effect on advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. This study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel plus nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil (DNF regimen) in treating advanced esophageal carcinoma.

METHODSForty-three patients with pathologically confirmed advanced esophageal carcinoma treated by DNF regimen: intravenous infusion of docetaxel (75 mg/m(2)) over 1 h, intravenous infusion of nedaplatin (100 mg/m(2)) over 3 h, intravenous infusion of leucovorin (CF, 200 mg/m(2)) over 2 h, intravenous injection of 5-fluorouracil (375 mg/m(2)) over 10 min, followed by a 46-hour infusion of 5-fluorouracil (2.6 g/m(2)). The cycle was repeated every three weeks. Treatment efficacy was evaluated every two weeks according to the WHO standards. All patients received at least two cycles of chemotherapy.

RESULTSPatients received a total of 144 cycles of treatment, and all were evaluable for efficacy and toxicity. Of the 43 patients, 2 (4.65%) achieved complete response (CR), 25 (58.14%) achieved partial response (PR), 9 (20.93%) had stable disease (SD), and 7 (16.28%) had progressive disease (PD). The overall response rate was 62.8%. The median time-to-progression (TTP) was 201 days and the median survival time (MST) was 310 days. Grade III/IV adverse events mainly included neutropenia (20.93%), febrile neutropenia (4.65%), thrombocytopenia (6.98%) and vomiting (9.30%). One patient died of grade IV thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSIONDNF regimen is effective for and well tolerated by patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; secondary ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Thrombocytopenia ; chemically induced

China ; Cognition ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; Enhanced Recovery After Surgery ; Humans ; Length of Stay

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the possibility and efficacy of vasoligation and deferent vein ligation in treating and preventing benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).

METHODS40 male pooches were divided into A, B, C and D groups randomly. Each group has 10 pooches group A and B were made into the model of BPH. Two years later, the pooches in group A and C accepted the operation of vasoligation and deferent vein ligation on both sides. Group B and D only accepted the operation of dissection and relieving its deferent duct. Then continuing to feed the 40 pooches after the operation, they were killed another two years later. After taking out their prostates and calculating their volume and weight, the sections of the prostates were checked by microscope to observe their histology and pathology changes.

RESULTSThere were significant differences of weight and volume as well as the changes of histology and pathology between group A and group C (P < 0.01). It was the same with group B and D (hyperplasia changes).

CONCLUSIONSVasoligation and deferent vein ligation before benign prostatic hyperplasia at pooches grow-up stage can reduce the extent of BPH at old age, and treatment after benign prostatic hyperplasia can make prostatic tissue appear different degrees of atrophy.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Ligation ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Vasectomy

Taenia pisiformis is one of the most important parasites of canines and rabbits. T. pisiformis cysticercus (the larval stage) causes severe damage to rabbit breeding, which results in huge economic losses. In this study, the genetic variation of T. pisiformis was determined in Sichuan Province, China. Fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) (922 bp) gene were amplified in 53 isolates from 8 regions of T. pisiformis. Overall, 12 haplotypes were found in these 53 cytb sequences. Molecular genetic variations showed 98.4% genetic variation derived from intra-region. F(ST) and Nm values suggested that 53 isolates were not genetically differentiated and had low levels of genetic diversity. Neutrality indices of the cytb sequences showed the evolution of T. pisiformis followed a neutral mode. Phylogenetic analysis revealed no correlation between phylogeny and geographic distribution. These findings indicate that 53 isolates of T. pisiformis keep a low genetic variation, which provide useful knowledge for monitoring changes in parasite populations for future control strategies.
Animals ; China ; Cytochromes b/*genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Helminth Proteins/*genetics ; Humans ; Mitochondria/*genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Rabbits ; Taenia/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Taeniasis/*parasitology

OBJECTIVECoronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common causes of death in the world. Some studies suggested that CHD begins in childhood. Obesity and dyslipidemia are important risk factors of coronary heart disease. Apolipoprotein (apo)E gene associated with dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease. The present study was designed to investigate the expression status of apoE gene in peripheral blood monocyte and association of apoE gene expression with lipids in children with obesity.

METHODSAmong 32 children with obesity and 32 healthy children without obesity or overweight, ApoE gene expressions were determined by competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood monocyte. The concentrations of plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), apoA I, apoB(100) and apoE were measured.

RESULTSExpression of apoE gene was detected in peripheral blood monocyte. Expression of apoE gene was significantly reduced in children with obesity as compared with control group (0.29 +/- 0.14 moles/mole GAPDH mRNA vs. 0.36 +/- 0.10 moles/mole GAPDH mRNA, t = 2.15, P < 0.05). The more severe was the degree of obesity, the more significantly reduced the expression of apoE gene; the degree of obesity was negatively correlated with the levels of expression of apoE gene (correlation coefficient = -0.40, P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and apoB(100) were higher, and those of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, apoA I and apoE were lower in children with obesity [(1.68 +/- 0.50) mmol/L vs. (0.99 +/- 0.54) mmol/L, (4.47 +/- 0.91) mmol/L vs. (3.33 +/- 0.90) mmol/L, (2.23 +/- 0.71) mmol/L vs. (1.13 +/- 0.96) mmol/L, (94.48 +/- 9.97) mg/dl vs. (83.81 +/- 15.64) mg/dl, (1.47 +/- 0.39) mmol/L vs. (1.73 +/- 0.36) mmol/L, (112.71 +/- 27.86) mg/dl vs. (134.80 +/- 45.36) mg/dl, (24.50 +/- 10.92) mg/L vs.(35.07 +/- 9.79) mg/L, respectively, P < 0.05]. ApoE gene expression was associated with plasma lipids metabolism in children with obesity. The quantity of apoE gene expression was inversely associated with low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, positively correlated with apoE (correlation coefficient = -0.33, 0.35, respectively, P < 0.05). The quantity of apoE gene expression was not associated with total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), apoA I, and apoB(100) (correlation coefficient = -0.19, -0.11, 0.16, 0.09, 0.18, 0.22, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExpression of apoE gene was significantly reduced in peripheral blood monocyte in children with obesity. The quantity of apoE gene expression was associated with degree of obesity and abnormality of blood lipids.

Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Child ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Gene Expression ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Obesity ; blood ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Triglycerides ; blood

Objective To evaluate the effect of ditching for drain on the control of the breed of Oncomelania hupensis snails in beaches of Dongting Lake. Methods From November,2009 to November,2012,an O. hupensis snail infested beach of the Yueyang jail and an O. hupensis snail infested beach of Junshan District were selected as research fields in the eastern Dongting Lake area,and the former,as the intervention field,was performed with the ditching for drain by excavators and the latter,as the control field,was not. Results Before the project implemented,the average soil moisture contents on the beaches in dry seasons of the two fields were both about 35.56%. After the project implemented,in the intervention field,the average soil mois?ture content was 26.53%which was significantly lower than that(35.56%)in the control field(F=6.53,P<0.05). The under?ground water levels in different heights in the intervention field were lower than those in the control field (χ2 = 33.33,P <0.05). Before the project implemented,the natural death rates of the snails were 0.98%and 0.89%in the two research fields re?spectively(P>0.05),and after the project implemented(in 2012),no adult and young snails were found in the interventional field,but in the control field,the average densities of living snails and young snails were 29.37 snails/0.1 m2 and 213±108.45 snails/0.1 m2 respectively. Conclusion The intervention of ditching for drain can decrease the soil moisture contents quickly and change the ecological condition,therefore,can control the breed of O. hupensis snails in the beaches of Dongting Lake.