Atomic force microscope ( AFM) and fluorescence microscope ( FM) have been emerging as two most commonly used tools for single-molecule study in living cells. Combining the advantages of two microscopes, the development of the integrated AFM-FM technique with high spatiotemporal resolution and multi-function has attracted increasing interest. In this review, the principles of AFM single-molecular force spectroscopy and single-molecule fluorescence imaging were briefly discussed, and the recent advances in the integrated AFM-FM instrumentation were summarized. Subsequently based on our own research in the investigation of ligand-receptors interactions with the integrated AFM-FM technique, its applications in live-cell single-molecule imaging and characterization were introduced.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with cancer of unknown primary site (CUP).

METHODSThe clinical and follow-up data of 68 CUP patients (46 adenocarcinoma patients, 22 squamous cell carcinoma patients), were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted to determine the correlation of survival with clinical features, tumor markers, blood test, liver function and so on.

RESULTSThe median survival time of the 68 CUP patients was 123 days. The results from univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the prognostic factors were related to a performance status, presence or absence of liver metastases, the number of metastatic sites, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hypoalbuminemia, hypohemoglobinemia and lymphocyte count. Multivariate Cox regression analysis of the clinical factors identified that a performance status (PS) &ge; 2, liver metastasis, elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, hypoalbuminemia (< 35 g/L) and lymphopenia (≤ 0.7 × 10(9)/L) were significant independent unfavorable predictive factors. Based on the number of the unfavorable predictive factors, we divided all the patients into three subgroups: subgroup involving 0-1 unfavorable factor, subgroup involving 2 - 3 unfavorable factors and subgroup involving 4 - 6 unfavorable factors. The median survival time was 390 days, 138 days and 77 days, respectively, in the 3 subgroups. Compared with the other two groups, the survival of the subgroup involving 0 - 1 unfavorable factor was significantly longer (P < 0.05), the survival between the subgroup involving 2 - 3 unfavorable factors and subgroup involving 4 - 6 unfavorable factors was not significantly different (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA performance status &ge; 2, liver metastasis, elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen and lactate dehydrogenase levels, hypoalbuminemia and lymphopenia are independent unfavorable prognostic factors in patients with cancer of unknown primary site. The patients who had more than 2 unfavorable prognostic factors have a worse prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma ; blood ; pathology ; secondary ; therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; blood ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; blood ; pathology ; secondary ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Leukocyte Count ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary ; blood ; pathology ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Serum Albumin ; metabolism ; Survival Analysis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and possible mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on survival and quality of life (QOL) in patients with esophageal carcinoma after esophagectomy.

METHODSAdopting prospective controlled method of study, the authors had 128 post-esophagectomy patients, hospitalized from February 2001 to February 2002, randomly divided into 3 groups: the TCM group, treated with TCM drugs alone; the chemotherapy group, with chemotherapy alone applied; and the synthetic group, treated with chemotherapy combined with Chinese medicine. Their survival rate and QOL were compared.

RESULTSIn the TCM group, the chemotherapy group and the synthetic group, the respective 3-year relapse and remote metastasis rate were 71.4%, 76.7%, 53.4%, respectively (chi(2) = 6.53, P < 0.05); the 1-year survival rate 42.9%, 46.5%, 72.1%; 2-year survival rate 28.6%, 27.9%, 55.8%, and 3-year survival rate 26.2%, 23.1%, 37.2%, respectively. And the QOL improving rate was 69.0%, 37.2%, 58.1%, respectively, all showing significant difference among them (chi(2) = 6.10, all P < 0.05). Moreover, immune function was increased in the TCM and the synthetic groups.

CONCLUSIONIntegrative Chinese and Western medicinal treatment was the beneficial choice for post-operational patients with esophageal carcinoma. However, long time use of simple Chinese medicine was also advisable, especially for those in poverty.

Adult ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; surgery ; Esophagectomy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immune System ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; mortality ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Survival Rate ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets

BACKGROUNDThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of standard rescue procedure (SRP) in improving severe trauma treatments in China.

METHODSThis study was conducted in 12 hospitals located in geographically and industrially different cities in China. A standard procedure on severe trauma rescue was established as a general rule for staff training and patient treatment. A regional network (system) efficiently integrating prehospital rescue, emergency room treatments, and hospital specialist treatments was built under the rule for information sharing and improving severe trauma treatments. Treatment outcomes were compared between before and 1 year after the implementation of the SRP.

RESULTSThe outcomes of a total of 74,615 and 12,051 trauma cases were collected from 12 hospitals before and after the implementation of the SRP. Implementation of the SRP led to efficient cooperation and information sharing of different treatment services. The emergency response time, prehospital transit time, emergency rescue time, consultation call time, and mortality rate of patients were 24.24 ± 4.32 min, 45.69 ± 3.89 min, 6.38 ± 1.05 min, 17.53 ± 0.72 min, and 33.82% ± 3.87% (n = 441), respectively, before the implementation of the standardization and significantly reduced to 10.11 ± 3.21 min, 22.39 ± 4.32 min, 3.26 ± 0.89 min, 3.45 ± 0.45 min, and 20.49% ± 3.11%, separately (n = 495, P < 0.05) after that.

CONCLUSIONSStaff training and SRP can significantly improve the efficiency of severe trauma treatments in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Emergency Medical Services ; standards ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Wounds and Injuries ; Young Adult