Objective To explore the clinical significance of tumor pathological length in evaluation of prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods 421 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were selected as study subjects.Each patient's data of gender,age,pathological examination(tumor pathological length),survival time,cancer stage,operation mode were collected.The patients were divided into two groups:≤4 cm group(189 cases) and >4 cm group(232 cases), and the constituent ratios of gender,age,or operation mode and the survival rate between the two groups were analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in gender composition,age structure and operation mode between the two groups(x2=2.03,2.41,0.06,all P>0.05);There was positive correlation between tumor pathological length and TNM stage(CMH=68.07,P<0.01).The 25%,50% and 75% quantiles of survival period in the group whose tumor length was less than or equal to 4 cm were 28,40 and 58 months,respectively,which in the group whose tumor length was more than 4 cm were 19,31 and 61 months,and there was significantly difference between the two groups(x2=44.88,P<0.01), the group whose tumor length was less than or equal to 4 cm had higher survival rate than the group whose tumor length was more than 4 cm.In the further stratification analysis by TNM stage,the group whose tumor length was less than or equal to 4 cm had higher survival rate than the group whose tumor length was more than 4 cm in theⅠstage patients(x2=5.61,P<0.05);the group whose tumor length was less than or equal to 4 cm had higher survival rate than the group whose tumor length was more than 4 cm in theⅡstage patients(x2=4.62,P<0.05);the group whose tumor length was less than or equal to 4 cm had higher survival rate than the group whose tumor length was more than 4 cm in the Ⅲ stage patients(x2=4.88,P<0.05).Conclusion Tumor pathological length is an effective prognostic factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,and the critical value can be determined as 4 cm.

Objective:To study the effects of glucosamine(GlcNH2) on immune function in mice.Method:The effects of GlcNH2 on murine proliferation of splenocytes were carried out in vitro.After feeding mice by GlcNH2,the phagocytotic functions of mononuclear macrophage,murine delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH) caused by sheep red blood cells(SRBC),the ability of antibody production(tested by HC50),and the index of immune organs(thymus and spleen) were deteimined in vivo.Results:GlcNH2 could promote the proliferation of splenocytes,phagocytotic functions of mononuclear macrophage,DTH,the ability of antibody production and the index of immune organs.Conclusion:Glucosamine can enhance immune function in mice such as cellular immunity,humoral immunity and non-specific immunity.

Objective To investigate the antitumor effect of special promoter-controlled Gibbon ape leukemia virus membrane fusion glycoprotein (GALV.fus) mediated by type Ⅰ herpes simplex virus (HSV-Ⅰ) on lung adenocarcinoma. Methods Recombinant HSV-Ⅰ plasmids encoding GALV.fus was introduced into green monkey kidney cells(Vero)by liposome to amplify the virus, and then the virus was transfected into lung adenocarcinoma (A549), human fetal fibroblasts (HFL-Ⅰ GNHu 5) and human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts which were established in nude mice subcutaneously to observe antitumor and cytotoxic effect in vitro and in vivo; Recombined cytomegalovirus (CMV) containing GALV.fus or enhanced green fluorescence protein were served as control. Results Recombinant HSV-Ⅰ virus were packed successfully. Heterotransplantative tumourigenicity of the tumour was 100% in nude mice after A549 cells were inoculated. Recombinant HSV-Ⅰvirus exerted obvious antitumor effects in vitro, with relative survival rate of 23%, while for CMV virus containing GALV. fus, the rate was 20%, and for CMV virus encoding EGFP, the rate was 68%. Recombinant HSV-Ⅰvirus also showed striking antitumor effect on the implanted tumor. Conclusion GALV.fus has powerful effect against lung cancer in vitro and in vivo and maybe a promising candidate for gene therapy.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tanreqing Injection, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, for community-acquired pneumonia.

Objective To assess the rotational set-up errors in patients with thoracic neoplasms. Methods 224 kilovohage cone-beam computed tomography (KVCBCT) scans from 20 thoracic tumor pa-tients were evaluated retrospectively. All these patients were involved in the research of " Evaluation of the residual set-up error for online kilovohage cone-beam CT guided thoracic tumor radiation". Rotational set-up errors, including pitch, roll and yaw, were calculated by 'aligning the KVCBCT with the planning CT, using the semi-automatic alignment method. Results The average rotational set-up errors were -0.28°±1.52°, 0.21°± 0.91° and 0.27°± 0. 78° in the left-fight, superior-inferior and anterior-posterior axis, respective-ly. The maximal rotational errors of pitch, roll and yaw were 3.5°, 2.7° and 2.2°, respectively. After cor-rection for translational set-up errors, no statistically significant changes in rotational error were observed. Conclusions The rotational set-up errors in patients with thoracic neoplasms were all small in magnitude. Rotational errors may not change after the correction for translational set-up errors alone, which should be e-valuated in a larger sample future.

Objective To study the effect of different dose fractionation on overall survival in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). Methods LS-SCLC patients treated with radical combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) between January 2001 and Dec 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the dose fractionation schemes, patients were divided into three groups:conventional fractionated RT (1. 8 -2.0 Gy,once daily), hyperfractionated RT (1.4 Gy, twice daily) and hypofractionated RT (2. 5 Gy,once daily). Overall survival, disease free survival and pattern of failures of the three groups were compared. A total of 177 patients were enrolled, including 63 patients in conventional fractionated RT group, 79 in hyperfractionated RT group and 35 in hypofractionated RT group. Results The overall follow-up rate was 96. 6%. The patient numbers with follow-up of more than 2 and 5 years were 153 and 92, respectively. The median survival time of the entire group was 22. 4 months, and the 2-and 5-year survival rates were 43.4% and 23. 5%, respectively. The 2-year survival rates for three groups were 31%, 46% and 59% (x2 =7.94,P=0.019), respectively. The 2-year disease free survival for three groups were 20%, 31% and 40% ( x2 = 4. 86, P = 0. 088 ), respectively. In the pairwise comparisons,patients in hypofractionated RT group have better survival than those in conventional fractionated RT group ( x2 = 7. 81, P = 0. 005 ), the effect of hyperfractionated RT group lies between the hypo-and the conventional fractionated RT groups, but no significant differences were detected ( x2 = 2. 31, P = 0. 128; x2 = 2. 95, P =0. 086). The mildest side effect was found in the hypofractionated RT group. No statistically significant differences were found in the patterns of first failure. Conclusion The hypofractionated RT scheme showed potential survival benefits for patients with LS-SCLC and should be considered in the setting of randomized clinical trials.

Objective To select the optimal registration method for on-line kilovoltage cone-beam CT (KVCBCT) guided lung cancer radiation and evaluate the reproducibility of the selected method. MethodsSixteen patients with non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled into this study.A total of 96 pre treatment KVCBCT images from the 16 patients were available for the analysis.Image registration methods were bone-based automatic registration,gray-based automatic registration,manual registration and semi-auto matic registration.All registrations were accomplished by one physician.Another physician blindly evaluated the results of each registration,then selected the optimal registration method and evaluated its reproducibili ty.Results The average score of the bone-based automatic registration,gray-based automatic registration, manual registration and semi-automatic registration methods was 2.4,2.7,3.0 and 3.7,respectively.The score of the four different groups had statistics significant difference (F = 42.20,P < 0.001).Using the semi-automatic registration method,the probability of the difference between two registration results more than 3 ram in the left-right,superior-inferior,and anterior-posterior directions was 0,3% and 6% by the same physician,0,14% and 0 by different physicians,and 8%,14% and 8% by physician and radiation therapist.Conclusions Semi-automatic registration method,possessing the highest score and accepted re producibility,is appropriate for KVCBCT guided lung cancer radiation.

Objective To investigate the effect of syndecan-4 on the proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion of human mesangial cells(HMC) stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and to evaluate the role of syndecan-4-PKCα pathway. Methods The expression of syndecan-4 in HMC was observed by immunofluorescence. After the down-regulation of syndecan-4 in HMC by RNA interference, the cell proliferation was detected by MTT. The secretion of fibronectin (FIN), type IV collagen, type Ⅰ collagen was assessed by ELISA. The copy number of syndecan-4 and PKCα was measured by fluorescent quantitation PCR at different time points. Results Syndecan-4 was expressed in HMC. bFGF could promote the cell proliferation and ECM secretion together with the PKCα copy number per million house-keeping genes of HMC, which could be reversed by the syndecan-4 siRNA transfection (MtT: 48-60 h, P<0.01; FiN: 24 h, P<0.01, 48-96 h, P<0.05; type Ⅳ collagen: 72-96 h, P<0.05; PKCa: 0 h, P<0.05, 12-48 h, P< 0.01). Conclusion Syndecan-4 may regulate the proliferation and ECM secretion of HMC stimulated by bFGF through syndecan-4-PKCα pathway.

This paper describes a calibration phantom system for QCT bone mineral density determination, which consists of 4-standard-solid-sample calibration phantom, a quality assurance (QA) phantom and the bone mineral density analysis software. The system adds to the new applications of CT systems, and provides a new method with a good accuracy and reliability for the examination, diagnosis, prevention, treatment of osteoporosis diseases and the observation of curative effect of drugs.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; instrumentation ; methods ; Algorithms ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Calibration ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Osteoporosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Software ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effect of low-dose once-daily tadalafil combined with Shuganyiyang Capsules in the treatment of mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSNinety patients with mild-to-moderate ED were equally randomized to groups A, B and C to receive Shuganyiyang Capsules, tadalafil, and tadalafil + Shuganyiyang Capsules, respectively. The scores of the patients on IIEF-5 and SF-PAIRS (15-Item Short Form of Psychological Interpersonal Relationship Scales) were recorded before and at 1 and 3 months after treatment.

RESULTSThe IIEF-5 scores of groups A, B and C were 10.13 +/- 1.55, 11.00 + 1.60 and 10.73 +/- 1.91 before treatment, and 13.77 +/- 2.11, 17.77 +/- 2.13 and 17.17 +/- 3.84 at 1 month after treatment, significantly higher in B and C than in A (P <0. 001) , but with no remarkable difference between B and C (P =0. 411). At 3 months after treatment, the IIEF-5 scores were 15.77 +/- 2.05, 18.07 +/- 2.24 and 19.37 +/- 3.76 in the three groups, dramatically higher in B and C than in A (P <0.001) as well as in C than in B (P<0.05). The scores on sexual self-confidence, sexual spontaneity and time concerns in SF-PAIRS were 3.90 +/-0.80, 8.67 +/- 1.94 and 14.43 +/- 1.92 before medication, 5.83 +/- 1.02, 9.90 +/- 1.75 and 11.17 +/- 1.68 at 1 month and 6.73 +/- 0.98, 11.07 +/- 2.08 and 10.67 +/-1.60 at 3 months after medication in group A; 4.17 +/- 0.87, 9.37 +/-1.43 and 14.47 +/-1.57 before medication, 6.47 +/-0.78, 10.83 +/- 2.18 and 10.20 +/-1.56 at 1 month and 6.83 +/-0.91, 11.30 +/- 1.88 and 9.47 +/- 1.57 at 3 months in group B; and 4.23 +/-0. 94, 9.50 +/- 1.89 and 14.67 +/- 2.91 before medication, 8.03 +/- 1.67, 13.43 +/-1.10 and 9.70 +/-1.21 at 1 month and 8.93 +/- 1.78, 14.70 +/- 1.26 and 8. 87 +/- 0. 97 at 3 months in group C. Compared with the baseline, the SF-PAIRS scores of the three groups were all significantly improved after treatment (P <0. 05) , and markedly higher in C than in the other two groups (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow-dose once-daily tadalafil combined with Shuganyiyang Capsules is obviously effective in the treatment of mild-to-moderate ED, which not only improves the patients'erectile function, sexual self-confidence and sexual spontaneity, but also reduces their time concerns.

Adult ; Carbolines ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Tadalafil ; Treatment Outcome