Brachytherapy ; methods ; Brain Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Glioma ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Lung Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Male ; Mouth Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Survival Rate

A Review: A concept of tissue adaptation to hypoxia (i. e. hypoxic preconditioning) was developed and its corresponding animal models were reproduced in 1966s. The methods of model reproduction in rat, rabbit, and mouse in particular and the main results are briefly introduced in this review. The tolerance to hypoxia of preconditioned animals is significantly increased. Regular changes in animals' behavior, neurophysiology, respiratory and circulatory physiology, neuron morphology in vivo and function of brain and spinal cord in vitro are briefly demonstrated. The protective effects in vivo and in vitro of homogenate extract taken from the brain of preconditioned animals, neurochemicals and molecular neurobiological alterations are briefly presented. The essence and significance of tissue adaptation to hypoxia/hypoxic preconditioning are discussed in the review in terms of evolution and practical implication.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; physiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Mice ; Rabbits ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of the united intraoperative (125)I seed implantation as a treatment option for thoracic advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODSFrom January 2000 to August 2004, according to preoperative CT staging criteria, 298 patients in phase II to III of ESCC had been enrolled in this prospective study. With informed consent, they were randomized into two groups: intraoperative (125)I seed implantation (group A) and surgery alone (group B). With 0.5 mCi of single seed, total activity in 10 to 30 mCi, matched peripheral dose in 60 to 70 Gy, 20 to 40 (125)I seeds were implanted into the target under direct vision in accordance with treatment planning system. The post-operative complications were observed. The validation and quality assessment of radioactive seeds were demonstrated according to CT scan or X imaging. The short-term efficacy was evaluated according to WHO criteria. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rate were followed up.

RESULTSOn the close date of August 31st 2008, the satisfied quality assessment of (125)I seeds was observed. There was no displacement or loss of seed. The local recurrence rates in the group A and group B were 14.9% and 38.7%, respectively, which were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The complete response and partial response rate in the group A was 78.8%. It was significantly higher than 30.3% in the group B (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference among groups when comparing the complications (P > 0.05). The 1-year survival rates were no statistical difference among the two groups. However, the 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rates in group A (64.0%, 42.7%, and 25.1%) were statistically different from that in the B group (52.0%, 34.5%, and 12.6%) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIt is safe, effective and simple application about the intraoperative (125)I seed implantation for advanced ESCC. It may reduce the local recurrence rate and improve survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brachytherapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intraoperative Care ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Albuminuria ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) as a multimodality treatment option for locally advanced thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by a prospective comparison between surgery alone and postoperative CRT.

METHODSUsing preoperative computed tomography (CT)-based staging criteria, 158 patients with ESCC (stage II-III) were enrolled in this prospective study. With informed consent, the patients were randomized into two groups: postoperative CRT (78 cases) and surgery alone (S, 80 cases). After a few minor adjustments to the enrolled patients, the actual patients of postoperative CRT group and S group were 74 cases and 77 cases, respectively. Comparison of the complications, local recurrence rate, distant metastasis rate, survival rate and progression-free survival in the two groups was carried out.

RESULTSWith a median follow-up of 37.5 months, the 1-, 3-, 5-, 10-year overall survival (OS) rates were 91.0%, 62.8%, 42.3%, 24.4% and 87.5%, 51.3%, 33.8%, 12.5% for the postoperative CRT and S arm, respectively. A significant difference in OS was detected between the two arms (P = 0.0276). There was a significant difference of progression-free survival (PFS) between the two arms (P = 0.0136). The local recurrence rates in the postoperative CRT group and S group were 14.9% and 36.4%, respectively (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected between the complications of the two groups (P > 0.05). Toxicities of chemoradiotherapy in the postoperative CRT arm were moderate, which can be relieved rapidly by adequate therapy.

CONCLUSIONRational application of postoperative chemoradiotherapy can provide a benefit in progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Disease-Free Survival ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Esophagectomy ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (n = 20) with subaortic ventriculotomy (n = 17) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy by echocardiography.

METHODSThe pre- and post-operation (1 week post procedure) gradients of left ventricular out flow (LVOTGs) were measured by echocardiography.

RESULTSPost operation LVOTGs were significantly reduced than that of pre-operation in patients treated with either percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation [(36 +/- 20) vs. (99 +/- 19) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), P < 0.05], or subaortic ventriculotomy [(28 +/- 17) vs. (117 +/- 32) mm Hg]. Post operation LVOTGs were also similar with the two procedures [(36 +/- 20) vs. (28 +/- 17) mm Hg, P > 0.05].

CONCLUSIONPercutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation is as effective as subaortic ventriculotomy in treating patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Adult ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Septum ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of male age on the outcome of conventional IVF-ET.

METHODSBased on male age, 170 couples undergoing conventional IVF-ET were divided into three groups: <35 yr (n = 60), 35 -39 yr (n = 77) and > or = 40 yr (n = 33). We observed the rates of fertilization, cleavage, good quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy and abortion in different groups.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences among the three groups in semen volume ([3.10 +/- 1.22] ml vs [2.84 +/- 1.05] ml vs [2.80 +/- 0.79] ml), sperm concentration ([54.23 +/- 26.07] x 10(6)/ml vs [60.27 +/- 24.80] x 10(6)/ml vs [60.21 +/- 27.42] x 10(6)/ml) and sperm viability ([53.93 +/- 13.25]% vs [56.10 +/- 16.58]% vs [51.82 +/- 15.45]%) (P>0.05). The men of the > or = 40 yr group showed a significantly lower percentage of grade a + b sperm ([40.97 +/- 11.91]%) than those of the <35 and 35 - 39 yr groups ([48.47 +/- 11.78]% and [46.84 +/- 13.51]%) (P<0.05), and morphologically normal sperm ([11.76 +/- 5.97]%) than those of the <35 yr group ([15.25 +/- 6.94]% (P<0.05). The rates of fertilization, cleavage, good quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy were 81.52%, 82.61%, 52.33%, 18.06% and 33.33% in the > or = 40 yr group, with no significant differences from those of the <35 yr group (83.18%, 82.68%, 56.99%, 22.40% and 40.00%) and the 35 - 39 yr group (78.78%, 80.66%, 55.01%, 21.74% and 38.96%) (P>0.05), while the abortion rate was markedly increased in the > or = 40 yr group as compared with the <35 yr group (36.36% vs 8.33%, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONIncreasing male age is related with decreasing percentages of progressively motile sperm and morphologically normal sperm, but not obviously with the rates of fertilization, good quality embryo, implantation, pregnancy and abortion.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paternal Age ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome

OBJECTIVETo establish a simple, reproducible, and practical mechanical injury model of hippocampal neurons of Sprague-Dawley rats in vitro.

METHODSHippocampal neurons isolated from 1-2-day old rats were cultured in vitro. Mild, moderate and severe mechanical injuries were delivered to the neurons by syringe needle tearing, respectively. The control neurons were treated identically with the exception of trauma. Cell damage was assessed by measuring the Propidium Iodide (PI) uptaking at different time points (0.5, 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours) after injury. The concentration of neuron specific enolase was also measured at some time points.

RESULTSPathological examination showed that degeneration, degradation and necrosis occurred in the injured cultured neurons. Compared with the control group, the ratio of PI-positive cells in the injured groups increased significantly after 30 minutes of injury (P<0.05). More severe the damage was, more PI-positive neurons were detected. Compared with the control group, the concentration of neuron specific enolase in the injured culture increased significantly after 1 hour of injury (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe established model of hippocampal neuron injury in vitro can be repeated easily and can simulate the damage mechanism of traumatic brain injury, which can be used in the future research of traumatic brain injury.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Brain Injuries ; enzymology ; pathology ; Equipment Design ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; injuries ; In Vitro Techniques ; Neurons ; enzymology ; pathology ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of primary lymphoma of breast.

METHODSForty cases of primary breast lymphoma, diagnosed according to the 2008 World Health Organization classification of hematopoietic and lymphoid tumors, were retrospectively studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed by SP method. The follow-up data were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) All the patients were females and the median age was 47 years. Unilateral and bilateral breast involvement were noted in 36 and 4 patients, respectively. The number of tumor were 31 cases (77.5%, 31/40) less than 3, and 9 cases (22.5%, 9/40) were 3 and more than 3. According to Ann Arbor staging system, 33 cases (82.5%) were in stage I to II and 7 cases (17.5%) in stage III to IV. The level of LDH in 9 cases (24.3%, 9/37) went up. For ECOG scores, 34 cases (85.0%) were 0 to 1 score and 6 cases (15.0%) were more than 2 scores. With respect to international prognostic index, 83.8% (31/37) were of score 0 to 2 and 16.2% (6/37) were of score 3 and more than 3. The axillary lymph nodes of 21 patients (53.8%, 21/39) were involved by the malignancy. (2) Histologically, 38 cases (95.0%, 38/40) were classified as B-cell lymphoma [including 27 cases (67.5%) of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 8 cases (20.0%) of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, 2 cases of follicular lymphoma and 1 case of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma]. The remaining cases included one case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma and one case of lymphoblastic lymphoma. Immunohistochemically, expression of CD20+/- CD79a were demonstrated in the 38 cases (95.0%) of B-cell lymphoma. The staining for CK was negative in all cases. In 33 cases, the positive rates of MUM-1, bcl-6 and bcl-2 were 57.6% (19/33), 30.3% (10/33) and 72.7% (24/33), respectively. Three cases were germinal center B cell phenotype and 21 cases were non-germinal center B cell phenotype. (3) Follow-up information was available in 37 patients (92.5%, 37/40). Twenty-three patients (62.2%, 23/37) were still alive and fourteen ones (37.8%, 14/37) died. For the 27 cases with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the five-year and disease-free survival rates were 48.0% and 36.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPrimary breast lymphoma is a rare disease entity. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the commonest histologic type and the majority show a non-germinal center B cell phenotype. The level of LDH, number of tumor and international prognostic index are of prognostic significance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD20 ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; CD79 Antigens ; metabolism ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Interferon Regulatory Factors ; metabolism ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphoma, Follicular ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Mastectomy ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Vincristine ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation of males'age with sperm apoptosis, sperm DNA integrity and other seminal parameters.

METHODSWe collected 104 semen samples and divided them into three groups according to the males' age: <35 yr (n = 43), 35 -39 yr (n = 31), and > or = 40 yr (n = 30). Based on the WHO Laboratory Manual (4th ed), we detected the seminal parameters, calculated the percentage of apoptotic sperm by flow cytometry (FCM), determined sperm DNA integrity by Acridine orange staining, and compared the results among the three groups.

RESULTSThere were no statistically significant differences among the < 35 yr, 35 -39 yr and > or = 40 yr groups in semen volume ([2.87 +/- 0.89] ml vs [2.98 +/- 1.09] ml vs [2.65 +/- 0.95] ml), sperm concentration ([60.40 +/- 25.43] x 10(6)/ml vs [69.74 +/- 28.33] x 10(6)/ml vs [55.97 +/- 27.22] x 10(6)/ml) (P>0.05). The percentage of progressively motile sperm was significantly lower in the > or = 40 yr ([39.00 +/- 8.35 %) than in the <35 and 35 -39 yr groups ([48.73 +/- 9.89]% and [45.65 +/- 10.55]%) (P<.0.1), and so was the percentage of morphologically normal sperm in the > or = 40 yr than in the < 35 yr group ([11.11 +/- 8.26]% vs [16.43 +/- 8.75 ]%, P<0.01). The percentage of apoptotic sperm was markedly higher in the > or = 40 yr than in the <35 yr group ([11.82 +/- 5.77]% vs [7.04 +/- 3.50]%, P<0.01), while the sperm DNA integrity significantly reduced in the > or = 40 yr group ([75.52 +/- 10.60]%) as compared with the <35 yr ([86.55 +/- 5.60])% and 35 -39 yr group ( [81.39 +/- 8.94]%) (P<0.01). The males' age was correlated positively with the rate of sperm apoptosis (P<0.01), and negatively with sperm DNA integrity and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe advance in males' age increases sperm apoptosis and reduces sperm progressive motility, normal morphology and DNA integrity.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; DNA ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; cytology