BACKGROUND: Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) irradiation can cause the decline of learning and memory abilities of rats, and lead to the intracellular calcium overloading of hippocampal neurons in vitro, and then result in necrosis and apoptosis. Physical shield can alleviate the damage of electromagnetic irradiation on experimental animals, but studies of the medicine prevention and protection on cell models are still in lack.OBJECTIVE: To observe the possibility of medicine in preventing and protecting the EMP-induced injury of hippocampal neurons in vitro.DESIGN: A randomized controlled animal experiment.SETTING: Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengde Medical College.MATERIALS: The experiments were carried out in the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Chengde Medical College from January 2004 to January 2005. Several neonatal Wistar rats were used.METHODS: The neonatal Wistar rats were killed by cutting heads to remove brain, and the hippocampal neurons were primarily cultured and identified. After pretreatment with MK801 [N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)receptor antagonist] and nifedipine (L-type Ca2+ channel blocking agent),the primarily cultured hippocampal neurons were irradiated with EMP. The condition of our experiment was 6×l04 Y/m, pulse rise time was 20 ns,pulse width was 30 ms, and frequency was 2.5 pulse per minute for 2 minutes. The neurons cultured in special petri dish, which could be observed under LSCM high amplified resolution, were divided into EMP irradiation group, MK801 20 μmol/L group, MK801 20 μmol/L+ nifedipine 1 μmol/L group. The cellular activities were detected with methyl-thiazol-tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry; The rate of apoptosis was detected with FASC method;The intracellular free Calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was determined by loading with Fluo-3-AM Ca2+ fluorescent probe (Molecular Probes Company) on the laser scanning confocal microscope.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The intracellular calcium overloading,cellular activity and rate of apoptosis were compared.RESULTS: ① The [Ca2+]i fluorescent intensity in the EMP irradiation group immediately after irradiation was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (107.34±26.14, 54.93±16.08, P＜0.05); As compared with the EMP irradiation group, the [Ca2+]i fluorescent intensity was decreased in the MK801 20 μmol/L group (81.29±19.96, P ＜ 0.05), and further decreased in the MK801 20 μmol/L+ 1 μmol/L nifedipine group (69.82±25.54, P＜0.05), but both were higher than that in the normal control group (P＜0.05). ②The A values that reflected the activity of cell proliferation MK801 20μmol/L group and MK801 20 μmol/L+1 μmol/L nifedipine group (0.25±0.06, 0.27±0.07) were obviously higher than that in the EMP irradiation group (0.17±0.08, P ＜ 0.05), but still lower than that in the normal control group (0.33±0.08, P ＜ 0.05). ③ The rate of apoptosis in the EMP irradiation group immediately after irradiation was significantly higher than that in the normal control group [(68.63±9.04)%, (20.14±4.34)%,P＜0.01]; As compared with the EMP irradiation group, the rate of apoptosis was decreased in the MK801 20 μmol/L group (62.12±11.08)%, and further decreased in the MK801 20 μmol/L± 1 μmol/L nifedipine group [(53.69±13.60)%, P ＜ 0.05], but both were higher than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with MK801 and nifedipine can partly block EMP induced damage in hippocampal neurons in vitro. Intracellular Ca2+ Overloading may play an important role in the injury of EMP on hippocampal neurons.

ObjectiveTo investigate the delineation of gross tumor volume (GTV) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANC) according to imageological changes before and after induction chemotherapy (IC) in order to decrease high dose area and protect normal tissue better.MethodsBetween Mar 2010 to Jan 2011,11 patients with LANC were enrolled and treated with TPF regimen followed by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with concurrent chemotherapy,target volumes were delineated based on fused CT imaging before and after IC following project determination.Tumor target volumes after and before IC were respectively delineated according to imaging tumor residues and were overlaid by CTVnx in order to ensure radical doses for the imaging tumor volume before IC,the resulting differences of tumor target volumes of IC before and after were measured and analyzed by paired t-test.ResultsBefore and after IC,the average volumes of GTVnx were respectively 44.72 cm3 and 28.87 ( t =3.89,P =0.003 ),the average volumes of GTVnd were respectively 32.76 cm3 and 19.82 cm3 ( t =2.47,P =0.033 ),the volumes of maximum dose area in brainstem and spinal cord as well as eyeball decreased ( t =2.93-4.59,all P ＜0.05).ConclusionsLANC treated by 3 cycle TPF regimen followed by IMRT with concurrent chemotherapy showes significant shrinkage of tumor volume.The volume of high dose region which caused by normally recovered tissues were decreased by re-delineation of target volume in brainstem and spinal cord as well as eyeball of CT images after IC.

Objective To analyze the long?term efficacy of intensity?modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with or without chemotherapy in treatment of 454 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its influencing factors. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 454 patients with non?metastatic NPC who received IMRT with or without chemotherapy in our center from 2007 to 2012. Prescribed doses of 69. 96?73. 92 Gy in 33 fractions, 69. 96 Gy in 33 fractions, 60. 06 Gy in 33 fractions, and 50. 96 Gy in 28 fractions were applied to nasopharyngeal gross tumor volume, cervical metastatic lymph nodes, high?risk drainage area, and low?risk drainage area, respectively. In all patients, 438 received induction chemotherapy, 420 concurrent chemotherapy, and 216 adjuvant chemotherapy, most of which were based on cisplatin and taxol. The Kaplan?Meier method was used for calculating survival rates and the log?rank test was used for survival difference analysis and univariate prognostic analysis. The Cox model was used for the multivariate prognostic analysis. Results The 3?year sample size was 210. The 3?year overall survival ( OS ) , local recurrence?free survival, nodal relapse?free survival, progression?free survival, and distant metastasis?free survival ( DMFS) rates were 88. 1%, 91. 0%, 90. 7%, 80. 5%, and 85. 1%, respectively. Age, T stage, and N stage were influencing factors for the OS rate ( P=0. 011;P=0. 005;P=0. 033);T stage and N stage were influencing factors for the disease progression?free survival ( P=0. 017;P=0. 005) and DMFS ( P=0. 012;P=0. 019) . The grade≥3 acute and late adverse reactions included hematological toxicity , oral mucositis , xerostomia , dysphagia , and brain injury . Conclusions IMRT promotes the long?term survival rates in patients with NPC. The distant metastasis is the major reason for treatment failure. The adverse reactions induced by IMRT combined with chemotherapy are tolerable.

Objective:The present study aimed to investigate the short-term efficacy and adverse effects of induction chrono-che-motherapy including docetaxe1 (TXT), cisplatin (DDP), and 5 fluorouraci1 (5-FU) followed by concomitant chemoradiotherapy in lo-co-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods:Newly diagnosed locally advanced (Ⅲ~Ⅳb) NPC patients were enrolled in this study. All patients received three cycles of TPF regimen. The TPF chemotherapy regimen was administered as follows:TXT, 75 mg/m2, i.v. infusion, d1; DDP, 75 mg/m2, bolus infusion from 10:00 to 22:00, d1-5; and 5-FU 750 mg/m2/d bolus infusion from 22:00 to 10:00, d1-5, with 21 days each cycle, followed by concomitant IMRT and chemotherapy (paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 i.v. infu-sion, with 21 days each cycle and a total of 2 courses). Acute and late toxicities were graded according to the Common Terminology Cri-teria for Adverse Events v3.0 scoring criteria. Tumor response was evaluated using 2000 Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria. Results:The CR and PR rates of induction chemotherapy were 23.8%and 68.6%, respectively;whereas the CR and PR rates of the combined modality treatment were 64.8%and 31.4%, respectively. Two-year overall survival rate was 91.4%, two-year progres-sion free survival rate was 87.0%, and two-year distant metastasis-free survival rate was 88.4%. The main side effects from induction chemotherapy include an over grade 3 granulocytopenia of 28.6%. Major toxicity from concurrent chemo-radiotherapy was oral mucosi-tis (81.0%);grade 3 to 4 oral mucositis was 16%. No treatment-related deaths occurred in this study. Conclusion:Induction chrono-che-motherapy using TPF followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy of paclitaxel is a well-tolerated treatment with short-term efficacy and severity for locally advanced NPC. Further follow-up is required to assess the late effects and long-term efficacy.

Objective To assess the antiangiogenic role of recombinant human endostatin combined with chemoradiotherapy and the capacity,and to explore the early tumor response as measured by comparing the change of MRI perfusion parameter.Methods From May 2012 to March 2013,22 locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who received recombinant human endostatin combined with chemoradiotherapy following induction chemotherapy,were included in the prospective study group.The other 25 patients,who received chemoradiotherapy following induction chemotherapy alone in the same period,were included in the control group.The perfusion parameters including blood volume(BV),blood flux(BF),mean transit time (MTT) were obtained by carrying out MR perfusion scanning at 3 time points:before induction chemotherapy,after induction chemotherapy,the end of concurrent chemoradiotherapy.Results Compared with before induction chemotherapy,the perfusion parameters including BV and BF obviously decreased in the study group (F =3.05,3.85,P ＜ 0.05).The parameter of MTT had no obviously change in the study group(P ＞0.05).In the control group,the change of BV,BF and MTT of nasopharyngeal lesions area during the treatment showed no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).To make comparison between the two groups,at the end of concurrent chemoradiotherapy,BF of nasopharyngeal lesions area in the study group was 0.72 ± 0.56 and 1.92 ± 1.26 in the control group,the former showing significantly declined results (t =-3.056,P =0.012).Conclusions Recombinant human endostatin might be a good indicator of local tumor microvascular changes and the treatment-related toxicity could be tolerated.Magnetic resonance perfusion imaging maybe assessed the capacity of anti-angiogenesis therapy to induce early tumor response.Clinical trial registration Chinese clinical trial registry,ChiCRTONRC-12002394.

Objective:To investigate the outcomes of the regimen with docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (TPF regimen) in chrono-chemotherapy, and evaluate the feasibility of reducing the toxicity and immunological damage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with distant metastasis at preliminary diagnosis, then to compare the advantages and disadvantages between chrono-che-motherapy and traditional chemotherapy. Methods:A total of 46 NPC patients with distant metastasis at preliminary diagnosis (UICC 2010 stage IVc) were enrolled in this study. These NPC patients were randomly divided into chrono-chemotherapy and conventional chemotherapy groups, with 23 cases for each group. TPF neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was conducted in both groups for two cycles, with 21 days to 28 days for each cycle. The following regimen was used for the chrono-chemotherapy group:docetaxel 75 mg/m2, infu-sion, d1;cisplatin 75 mg/m2, 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., continuous infusion, d1-d5;and fluorouracil 750 mg/(m2 · d), 10:00 p.m.-10:00 a. m., continuous intravenous infusion, d1-d5. The following regimen was used for the conventional chemotherapy group:docetaxel 75 mg/m2, infusion, d1;cisplatin 75 mg/m2, infusion, d1;and fluorouracil 750 mg/(m2· d), continuous infusion, d1-d5, 120 h. Patients who obtained therapeutic efficacy via induction chemotherapy were provided with intensity-modulated radiotherapy as a concurrent radio-therapy and chemotherapy (DDP 100 mg/m2, infusion, d1-d2, with 21 days each cycle and a total of two courses). One month after con-current chemoradiation, an adjuvant chemotherapy with the same regimen as the induction chemotherapy was employed for a total of two courses. Acute and late toxicities were graded in accordance with the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0 scor-ing. Tumor response was evaluated using the 2000 Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. The effective rates included complete and partial responses. Relevant data were analyzed by SPSS16.0 statistical software. Results:More emesis was observed at Grade 2 or above in the conventional chemotherapy group than in the chrono-chemotherapy group, with statistical significance between the two groups (P=0.035). After chemotherapy, the value of CD4/CD8 increased in the chrono-chemotherapy group and decreased in the con-ventional chemotherapy group, with statistical significance between the two groups (P=0.033). Conclusion:The proposed chrono-che-motherapy outperforms conventional chemotherapy in reducing the occurrence of severe vomiting. This chrono-chemotherapy may be advantageous in reducing severe bone marrow depression and may play a positive role in the immune function of NPC patients.

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effects, toxic side effects and influence on the immune function in patients treated with TPF [docetaxel (DOC) + cisplatin (DDP) + 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu)] induction chronochemotherapy and conventional chemotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal (NPC).

METHODSSeventy patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated in our department at their first visit from April 2013 to December 2013. They were divided randomly into two groups: the chronochemotherapy group (38 patients) and conventional chemotherapy group (32 patients). All of the patients were treated with TPF regimen with 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy in a 21-28-days/cycle. The chronochemotherapy group: DOC: 75 mg/m2, i. v. gtt, d1 (03: 30-04: 30); DDP: 75 mg/m2, 10 am-10 pm, c.i.v, d1-d5; 5-Fu: 750 mg·m(-2)·d(-1), 10 pm-10 am, c. i.v., d1-d5, both chemotherapies were administered by intravenous infusion using an automatic electric pump. The conventional chemotherapy group: Both DOC and DDP were administered intravenously at a dose of 75 mg/m2 on d1. 5-Fu was given at a dose of 750 mg/m2 for 24 hours from d1-d5 with continuous infusion in a total of 120 hours. In this procedure, prescribing the conventional intravenous infusion, intensity modulated radiation therapy was used after the induction chemotherapy. The prescribed nasopharyngeal lesion dose (GTVnx) was 69.96 Gy/33 fractions for the T1-T2 nasopharygeal cancer, while 73.92 Gy/33 fractions nasopharynx lesion dose (GTVnx) for the T3-T4 nasopharyngeal cancer. The planning target volume (PTV) of positive lymph node (PTVnd) dose was 69.96 Gy/33 fractions. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy: cisplatin 100 mg/m2, i. v. gtt. d1-d2, and there were two cycles in total and 21 days each cycle.

RESULTSSixty-six patients were evaluable for the response assessment. There were 36 patients in the chronochemotherapy group and 30 patients in the conventional chemotherapy group. After the induction chemotherapy, no CR case was found in both of the two groups. The PR was 80.6% in the chronochemotherapy group and 50.0% in the conventional chemotherapy group (P=0.009). After concurrent chemoradiotherapy, the CR rate in the chronocheotherapy group was 45.5%, significantly higher than 20.7% in the conventional chemotherapy group (P=0.040). Secondly, the incidence rates of adverse reactions including bone marrow suppression, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, oral mucositis, fatigue, anorexia in the chrono-chemotherapy group were significantly lower than that in the conventional group (P<0.05 for all). Finally, compared the two groups, the CD4+ /CD8+ ratio was significantly lower in the chronochemotherapy group than that in the conventional chemotherapy group (P<0.05). The lymphocytes CD19+ and CD4+/CD8+ were decreased and CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD16++CD56+ were increased in the chronochemotherapy group, while only CD3+ and CD8+ were increased in the conventional chemotherapy group.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with the conventional chemotherapy, the chronochemotherapy may be more favorable in the treatment of NPC, with a better therapeutic effects and effectiveness than that of conventional chemotherapy after induction chemotherapy, with less side effects, and can improve the immune function in the patients.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Drug Chronotherapy ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Induction Chemotherapy ; methods ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Nausea ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To explore the effects of Onodera′s prognostic nutritional index (PNI) on the prognosis of locally advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-OPSCC) after induction chemotherapy followed by sequential chemoradiotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 52 LA-OPSCC patients receiving induction chemotherapy followed by sequential chemoradiotherapy in The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical University during 2014-2018. The PNI values of all the patients at different treatment phases were statistically analyzed, and the ROC curve was employed to determine the optimal critical value of PNI. The patients in this study were divided into a well-nourished group ( n = 27) and a poorly-nourished group ( n = 25). The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. The Cox proportional hazards model was utilized to analyze the relationships between different nutritional status and prognosis. Clinical features and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results:The PNI values decreased significantly after radiotherapy, with an optimal critical value of 42.4. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the well-nourished group (PNI ≥ 42.4) were 62.6% and 60.9%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those (30.1% and 29.7%) of the poorly-nourished group (PNI < 42.4, χ2 = 11.12, 5.74, P < 0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that PNI was an independent prognostic factor for the OS after radiotherapy ( HR = 2.752, 95% CI: 1.095-6.917, P = 0.031). The LA-OPSCC patients aged over 60 years or those who did not respond to induction chemotherapy accounted for a higher proportion of malnutrition after chemoradiotherapy ( χ2 = 4.89, 5.05, P < 0.05). Conclusions:PNI after radiotherapy can be used as a prognostic factor in the evaluation of LA-OPSCC patients receiving induction chemotherapy followed by sequential chemoradiotherapy. The LA-OPSCC patients aged over 60 years or those who do not respond to induction chemotherapy should receive more nutritional support during the chemoradiotherapy.

Objective To explore efficacy and safety of simulated artificial pancreas in modulating stress hyperglycemia in critically ill patients. Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was performed. Seventy-two critically ill patients with stress hyperglycemia, aged 18-85 years, acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ) score over 15, two consecutive random blood glucose 11.1 mmol/L or higher, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) below 0.065, unable to eat food for 3 days after inclusion, or only accepting parenteral nutrition, admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in Shanghai Punan Hospital of Pudong New District from January 1st, 2015 to June 30th, 2017 were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups according to the random number table method, high-intensity group and low-intensity group were injected Novolin R (high-intensity group 2/3 dosage, low-intensity group 1/3 dosage) to modulate stress hyperglycemia by simulated artificial pancreas. Simulated artificial pancreas consisted of Guardian real time glucose monitoring system (GRT system), close-circle control algorithm and micro-pump;subcutaneous injection of Humulin 70/30 was applied to modulate stress hyperglycemia in humulin group. Real-time glucose levels of interstitial fluid in abdominal wall, equivalent to blood glucose levels, 10 minutes each time, were monitored by using of GRT system for all patients in three groups. Fasting serum levels of stress hormones including epinephrine and cortisol and insulin resistance index (IRI) were recorded within 24 hours after inclusion. Mean blood glucose, blood glucose variation coefficient, blood glucose target-reaching rate, blood glucose target-reaching time, hypoglycemia rate and 6-month mortality were measured. Twenty healthy adults from health administration department of the hospital were recruited as healthy control group. Results A total of 60 eligible critically ill patients were included in this study, each group with 20 patients. There was no significant difference in gender, age, APACHE Ⅱ scores among three groups. The levels of serum epinephrine, cortisol and IRI within 24 hours after inclusion in the three groups were significantly higher than those in healthy control group. The mean blood glucose levels of humulin group, low-intensity group, high-intensity group were decreased (mmol/L: 10.2±3.2, 8.4±2.6, 8.1±2.2), the blood glucose target-reaching rate were increased [40.2% (3 295/8 196), 71.1% (5 393/7 585), 80.4% (6 286/7 818)], the blood glucose target-reaching time were shortened (hours: 49.1±5.8, 24.6±4.6, 17.5±4.2), the hypoglycemia rates were increased respectively [1.3% (108/8 196), 2.8% (211/7 585), 4.0% (313/7 818)], with statistically significant differences (all 1 = 0.000). There was no significant difference in blood glucose variation coefficient and 6-month mortality among three groups [blood glucose variation coefficient: (29.4±3.7)%, (28.5±5.3)%, (26.1±4.6)%, 6-month mortality: 55.0%, 45.0%, 40.0%, all 1 > 0.05]. Conclusions Simulated artificial pancreas could effectively and safely modulate stress hyperglycemia in critically ill patients, high-intensity modulation could bring about better efficacy in the regulation of hyperglycemia. High-frequency blood glucose monitoring by using GRT system could promptly identify hypoglycemia and help it to be corrected.

Objective To compare the short?term efficacy and observe the tolerability and safety of recombinant human endostatin combined with induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods Fifty?three patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, who received recombinant human endostatin combined with induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy, treated in our department from December 2011 to March 2013 were included in the study group of this study. Another 48 patients, who received induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy alone in the same period, were chosen as a control group. The short?term outcome, overall survival (OS), progression?free survival (PFS),and acute side effects of the two groups were compared. Results The complete remission rates of nasopharyngeal tumor in the study and control groups were 77. 4% and 72. 9%, respectively (P=0. 154). The complete remission rates of patients with and without cervical lymph node metastasis were 75. 5% and 62. 6%, respectively, showing a significant difference (P=0. 037). The 2?year OS, PFS, and DMFS rates for the study group were 82. 3%, 77. 2%, and 82. 2%, respectively, versus 87. 2%, 84. 3% and 84. 2% for the control group, showing a non?significant differences between the two groups (P=0. 938, P=0. 551, and P=0. 725). Conclusions The short?term results of recombinant human endostatin ( Endostar ) combined with induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma are slightly better than that of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone, with tolerable treatment?related toxicity and no more side effects.