Objective To assess the psychological characteristics of EORTC QLQ-H&N35 scale,and to explore whether QLQ-H&N35 scale is suitable to measure the qulity of life (QOL) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.Methods The data of 391 NPC patients from Cancer Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University was collected.Split-half reliability,Cronbach's α coefficient,content validity,construct validity,discriminant validity,and feasibility of QLQ-H&N35 were performed.Person separation index (PSI),the order of item threshold,and differential item functioning were analyzed.Results Cronbach'sα coefficient and split-half reliability of QLQ-H&N35 were higher than 0.7,except for sense parameter.All Test-retest coefficients of QLQ-H&N35 were higher than 0.7.The result of factor analysis showed that the data was consistent with the theoretical model.Most of the domain scores and dimension scores of patients with different radiotherapy stages were significantly different (P ＜ 0.05).PSI of the model was 0.90.Most of the order of item threshold were normal.All the items had no uniform or non-uniform DIF among different genders and age groups.Conclusion QLQ-H&N35 scale is a reliable,operable,and valid disease-specific scale for the evaluation QOL in NPC patients.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of oxidative stress on ventricular arrhythmias in rabbits with adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy and the relationship between oxidative stress and ventricular arrhythmia. Forty Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n=10 in each): control group, metoprolol (a selective β1 receptor blocker) group, carvedilol (a nonselective β blocker/α-1 blocker) group and adriamycin group. Models of adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy were established by intravenously injecting adriamycin hydrochloride (1 mg/kg) to rabbits via the auri-edge vein twice a week for 8 weeks in the adriamycin, metoprolol and carvedilol groups. Rabbits in the control group were given equal volume of saline through the auri-edge vein. Rabbits in the metoprolol and carvedilol groups were then intragastrically administrated metoprolol (5 mg/kg/d) and carvedilol (5 mg/kg/d) respectively for 2 months, while those in the adriamycin and control groups were treated with equal volume of saline in the same manner as in the metroprolol and carvedilol groups. Left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured by echocardiography. Plasma levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), malondialdehyde (MAD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected. The left ventricular wedge preparations were perfused with Tyrode's solution. The transmural electrocardiogram, transmural action potentials from epicardium (Epi) and endocardium (Endo), transmural repolarization dispersion (TDR) were recorded, and the incidences of triggered activity and ventricular arrhythmias were obtained at rapid cycle lengths. The results showed that TDR and the serum MDA and NT-proBNP levels were increased, and LVEF and the serum SOD level decreased in the adriamycin group compared with the control group. The incidences of triggered activity and ventricular arrhythmia were significantly higher in the adriamycin group than those in the control group (P<0.05). In the carvedilol group as compared with the adriamycin group, the serum SOD level and the LVEF were substantially increased; the TDR, and the serum MDA and NT-proBNP levels were significantly decreased; the incidences of triggered activity and ventricular arrhythmia were obviously reduced (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the levels of MDA and SOD, LVEF, TDR and the incidences of triggered activity and ventricular arrhythmia between the adriamycin group and the metoprolol group. It was concluded that carvedilol may inhibit triggered activity and ventricular arrhythmias in rabbit with adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy, which is related to the decrease in oxygen free radials.

BACKGROUND: Recently biodegradable hydrogel has been extensively used to delivery anticancer drug and bioactive macromolecule. However, to protect the activity of the bioactive macromolecule, we need to obtain series of hydrogel which have milder hydrogelation conditions and shorter hydroglation time.OBJECTIVE: To prepare enantiomeric poly(L-Lactic acid) (PLLA)-poly(ethylene glycol (PEG)-PLLA/ poly(D-Lactic acid) (PDLA)-PEG-PDLA stereocomplex hydrogel which has shorter hydroglation time, to physically encapsulate a model drug-lysozyme and sustained release it from the hydrogel. METHODS: Triblock copolymers of PLLA-PEG-PLLA and PDLA-PEG-PDLA were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of L(D)-lactide using PEG as the initiator and Sn(Oct)2 as the catalyst. The triblock copolymers were characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, FT-IR and X-Ray diffractometry. A hydrogel was prepared from an aqueous mixture of PLLA20-PEG227-PLLA20 and PDLA21-PEG227-PDLA21 (10 wt% concentration) at room temperature for 12 hours. X-Ray diffractometry test was used to research the gelation mechanism. The release profile of the lysozyme as a model drug from the hydrogel was tested. The morphology of the freeze-dried hydrogel was investigated by scanning electron microscope. The cytotoxicity of the hydrogel was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Triblock copolymers of PLLA-PEG-PLLA and PDLA-PEG-PDLA were obtained. Both the PEG and PLA blocks in the copolymers could crystallize, but the crystallization of the PEG block was predominant. The stereocomplex formation between the PLLA and PDLA blocks within the hydrogel was confirmed by the X-Ray diffractometry analysis. The release profile of the lysozyme from the hydrogel exhibited a sustained-release pattern with a duration period of 7 days. The hydrogel exhibited a 3D interconnected porous structure with 50-100 μm pore size after being freeze-dried. The mouse fibroblast cell viability percentage was 99.3% after the cells contacted with the 100% extracted liquid for 72 hours.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Capsules ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; blood ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Objective To investigate whether HSP90α could be a sensitive and specific serum biomarker for the diagnosis and progression of lung cancer. Methods In the present study, different secretomic analy-ses on the two human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines CL1-0 and CL1-5 with low and high metastatic poten-tial, respectively, were performed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and ma-trix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The candidate biomarker was con-firmed by Western blotting, and was further analyzed in 224 serum samples including 141 lung cancer, 37 benign pulmonary diseases, as well as 46 healthy individuals using ELISA assay. Results HSP90α was sig-nificantly upregulated in the CM of CL1-5 cells. It was found that the levels of HSP90α were specifically ele-vated in the sera of non-small cell lung cancer compared with other groups. At the cut-off point 0.535 on the receiver operating oharacteristie curve, HSP90α could comparatively discriminate lung cancer from benign lung disease and healthy control groups with sensitivity of 0. 817, specificity 0. 919 and total accuracy 80. 14%. Conclusion HSP90α may be a potential useful serum biomarker for discriminating lung cancer from benign lung diseases and healthy individuals and staging of non-small cell lung cancer.

Thirty seven patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) were divided into cilazapril group (n=19) and general treatment group (n=18). Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) ,interleukin-8 (IL-8) , interleukin-10(IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) , left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ,left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), cardiac output (CO) and fractional shortening (FS) were measured before and after treatment. Serum levels of cytokines were also measured in 40 healthy individuals (control group). Results: The serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α in CHF patients were significantly higher than those in the control group ( all P<0.01 ) ; After treatment, the serum IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were significantly decreased (P<0.01 ,P<0.05 ) in the cilazapril group. The LVEF, FS, CO were significantly increased in the Cilazapril group ( P<0.01 ) ; And the serum levels of IL-6 were significantly decreased in the cilazapril group as compared with the general treatment group ( P<0.05 ), however, after treatment, the EF, LVEF, FS and CO had no statistical differences in the cilazapril group as compared with the general treatment group. In the control group only LVEF and FS improved(P<0.01) ; Cytokine levels showed no changes. It suggests that cilazapril can reduce the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine, protect and improved cardiac function in the patients with congestive heart failure.

Objective:To evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of fetal tethered cord (TC) prenatally diagnosed by MRI.Methods:Clinical data of 38 fetuses diagnosed as having TC by MRI, including 36 singletons and two fetuses who were both one of dichorionic diamniotic twins, were retrospectively collected and analyzed in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from January 2015 to August 2019. According to whether conus medullaris was located above the bladder or reached the lower edge of the bladder, all cases were divided into high or low groups. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups using Fisher's exact test and Student's t-test. Results:(1) The gestational age at MRI was (25.5±4.7) weeks. Among the 38 cases, 14 (36.8%) were isolated TC, 24 (63.2%) were complicated by other anomalies. The meningocele was responsible for the most (39.5%, n=15). The results of the ultrasound were consistent with those of MRI in 24 cases (63.2%). While in the other 14 cases (36.8%), the ultrasound only showed vertebral body's abnormal morphology, after which further MRI examination revealed a tethered cord. (2) Twenty-nine women (76.3%) chose to terminate the pregnancy. One patient (2.6%) underwent fetal reduction at 23 gestational weeks (one normal twin was delivered prematurely), and one (2.6%) was lost to follow-up. Seven (18.4%) cases continued the pregnancies to delivery. The postnatal follow-up period was 8.1 months (4.0 to 54.9 months). Two infants without comorbidities showed normal growth and development. Another three cases underwent surgeries after birth, and two cases died in the neonatal period. (3) The average width of the medullary cone was (2.5±0.8) cm. There was no significant difference in the spinal cord width between the high [(2.5±0.8) cm, n=34] and low group [(2.7±1.1) cm, n=4]. Six pregnancies (17.6%) in the high group was continued to delivery, and one of the neonates died of severe hydrocephalus. One patient in the low group (1/4) was delivered, while the baby died of neonatal asphyxia. Conclusions:Fetuses with isolated TC are prone to have a good prognosis. Further study should focus on the relation between the high or low position of the conus medullaris and pregnancy outcomes.

Objective　To explore the relationship between te lomerase activity and bile duct carcinoma and its significance in clinical diag nosis. Methods　Telomerase activities were examined in 23 cases of bile duct carcinoma, 5 cases of carcinoma adjacent tissues and 5 cases of nor mal bile duct tissues respectively with telomerase PCR-ELISA method. Results　Telomerase activity was detected in 18 of 23 cases (78.3%) of b ile duct carcinoma, and was not found in 5 cases of carcinoma adjacent tissues a nd 5 cases of normal bile duct tissues. The detection rate of telomerase activit y had no correlation with patients' age, sex, tumor site and size but significan tly correlated to metastasis of tumor (P<0.05). Conclusion　The level of telomerase activity was significantly higher in bile duct carcino ma and may be served as one of the clinical marker for malignant neoplasm becaus e of its spsecificity.

Objective:To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 (EDE-Q 6.0) in female patients with eating disorders.Methods:A total of 239 patients with eating disorder and 142 healthy controls who were recruited consented to participate in the study and completed Chinese EDE-Q 6.0.Confirmatory factor analysis was used in patients to compare the original 4-factor model,1-factor model and 3-factor model.The criterion validity was tested with the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI).Mann-Whitney U analysis was used to compare the differences of EDE-Q 6.0 scores on the two samples to test the empirical validity,and ROC analysis was used to determine the cut-off value.The internal consistency of the scale was tested in two samples.Among all participants,89 patients and 31 healthy controls were retested 1 month later.Results:The original 4-factor model fit better than the other two.The EDE-Q 6.0 total score and the EDI total score had a high consistency in the total sample,patients and controls,respectively (ICC =0.88,0.87,0.73).Patients had higher scores on the EDE-Q 6.0 than controls (Ps ＜0.01).The mean area under the curve (AUC) of EDE-Q 6.0 was 0.91,the optimal cut-off point of EDE-Q 6.0 was total score ≥ 1.27,sensitivity and specificity were 79.4％ and 88.2％ respectively.The Cronbach α coefficients were 0.95,0.91,and 0.88 for the total sample,patients and controls respectively.The test-retest reliabilities were 0.73 for the total scale,0.58,0.68,0.69 and 0.71 for the 4 factors.Conclusion:The Chinese version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 have good psychometric properties and diagnosis accuracy,and it could be used to assess the severity of clinical symptoms.

Objective To discuss the feasibility and short-term clinical effectiveness of DSA-guided percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for the treatment of painful osteoblastic metastatic spinal lesions. Methods During the period from Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2011 at authors’ hospital PVP was carried out in 23 patients with osteoblastic spinal metastases (34 lesions in total). Coexisting osteoblastic pathological fracture was found in twelve patients. The WHO standards, visual analogue scale (VAS) and karnofsky-KPS score were used to evaluate the therapeutic results. Results Technical success was achieved in all patients. All patients were followed up for at least 3 months. Of 20 patients who had complete clinical data, complete remission (CR) was obtained in 6, partial remission (PR) in 10, mild remission (MR) in 3 and no remission (NR) in one. The clinical effectiveness (CR+PR) was 80%. The mean VAS scores dropped from preoperative (7.0 ± 1.6) to (2.2 ± 1.9) at 24 hours after the treatment, and to (2.4 ± 2.1) and (2.5 ± 2.1) at one and three months after the treatment respectively. The mean KPS scores rose from preoperative (76.5 ± 10.4) to (86.5 ± 11.8), (88.0 ± 12.0) and (89.0 ± 10.8) at 24 hours and one, three months after the treatment respectively. Small amount leakage of PMMA was observed in 4 cases (17.4%) with no obvious clinical symptoms. Conclusion DSA-guided PVP is a feasible and effective treatment for painful osteoblastic spinal metastases. This therapy can immediately relieve pain and reinforce spine, besides, it can remarkably improve the living quality and
decrease the incidence of paraplegia.