Early esophageal cancer is derived from mucosa and submucosa without lymph node metastasis. They are detected generally during endoscopy or physical examination without clinical symptoms. Main treatment of early esophageal cancer is endoscopic resection,and the 5-year survival rate is over 90% . Once symptoms occur,local lymph node metastasis is often present and the prognosis is poor with a markedly reduced 5-year survival rate. Thus it is vital to diagnose and treat esophageal cancer at an early stage. With the development of endoscopic techniques,especially the proficiency of endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS),the detection rate of early esophageal cancer has been increased greatly. EUS also plays an important role in the staging of early esophageal cancer. This article reviewed the application of EUS in diagnosis and treatment of early esophageal cancer.

Objective To identify the necessity to carry out optimization procedure in routine digital radiography (DR) by evaluating changes of patient radiation dose and image waste ratio before and after optimization.Methods Two hundred patients with near-standard body build were enrolled in the study.Half of them undertook routine examination,and the others undertook the examination with bestlyoptimized protocol.The dose-area product (DAP) and entrance surface dose (ESD) were recorded.The image waste ratios in 2 groups were calculated and the reasons for image waste were analyzed.The radiation dose and image waste ratio before and after optimization were compared.Results The ESD,DAP and image waste ratio in bestly-optimized radiography were significantly lower than those in non-optimized radiography (z =9.31,16.22,P＜0.05; x2 =36.5,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Using the bestlyoptimized digital radiography,the patient radiation dose and image waste ratio are effectively reduced.

BACKGROUND:Caspase plays a crucial role in the cellapoptosis, but the influence of different facial nerve injury on caspase 1, caspase 8, cyto-c protein expression and their correlation stil remain unclear.
OBJECTIVE:To construct facial nerve crush or distal transection injury models, observe the morphological changes of facial motoneurons, investigate death gene caspase 3, caspase 8, cyto-c expression, and analyze their correlation.
METHODS:Facial nerve crush or distal transection injury model was established in the right facial nerve of rats, while the left facial nerve served as normal controls. We observed the morphology and the death of facial motoneurons with toluidine blue staining and transmission electron microscope. Expressions of caspase 3, caspase 8 and cyto-c proteins were studied by immunohistochemistry analysis fol owing facial nerve injury.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Both facial nerve distal transection and crush injury resulted in the death of facial motoneurons, and the death pattern was mainly apoptosis. Caspase 3, caspase 8 and cyto-c protein expressions were observed in the subnucleus of normal rat facial nucleus. cells of the distal transection group were stained more intensely than that of crush group. Expressions of these proteins began to increase at 3 days after the injuries. Caspase 3 and caspase 8 protein expression peaked at 14 days, whereas cyto-c protein expression peaked at 7 days after the injuries. Expressions of caspase 3, caspase 8 and cyto-c proteins were correlated with facial nerve injury type and injury time. Expressions of caspase 8 and cyto-c protein were correlated with expression of caspase 3 protein. The findings indicate that, caspase 8 and cyto-c contribute to activate caspase 3, and caspase cascade reaction plays an important role in the apoptosis of facial motoneurons.

Objective:To investigate the stability of flurbiprofen axetil lipid microspheres injection combined with 0. 9% sodium chloride injection or 5% dextrose injection, and provide theoretical basis for the clinical application. Methods:The content changes of flurbiprofen axetil in the mixture of flurbiprofen axetil lipid microspheres injection and 0. 9% sodium chloride injection or 5% dextrose injection were determined in 5 h at 25℃ away from light, and the changes in the appearance and particle size of flurbiprofen axetil lip-id microspheres were investigated. The changes in the appearance and particle size of flurbiprofen axetil lipid microspheres in the mix-ture of flurbiprofen axetil lipid microspheres injection and 0. 9% sodium chloride injection before and after freezing and thawing were also investigated. Results:The appearance, particle size and content had no significant changes in all mixtures in 5 h at 25 ℃ away from light. The appearance and particle size of flurbiprofen axetil lipid microspheres in the mixture before and after freezing and thawing had no significant changes as well. Conclusion:The mixture of flurbiprofen axetil lipid microspheres injection and 0. 9% sodium chlo-ride injection or 5% dextrose injection is stable in 5 h away from light.

Objective To investigate the infection status of A ngiostrongylus cantonensis in winkle from 9 cities in Guizhou Province.Methods The winkles were collected randomly from aquatic products wholesale market,agricultural market or restaurants in 9 cities (Guiyang,Zunyi,Tongren,Kaili,Anshun,Duyun,Xingyi,Bijie and Shuicheng) and classified in Guizhou Province,and the third-stage larvas of Angiostrongylus cantonensis were separated and detected with microscopy by tissue homogenization (Pomacea canaliculata was first checked with lung screening method,and then rechecked by tissue homogenization),and infection rate was calculated.Results Totally 2 177 winkles were tested,the overall infection rate of Angiostrongylus cantonensis was 1.5％ (32/2 177),among them,Pomacea canaliculata was 1 287,five was positive,and the infection rate was 0.4％; Achatinafulica was 240,positive 27,the infection rate was 11.3％; Bellamya lithophaga was 372 and all 278 Cipangopaludina chinensis was not positive.Conclusions There is a higher risk of infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis if eating winkles.The third-stage larva in Pomacea canaliculata and Achatina fulica has been found in Guizhou Province.Market management,food-safety inspection of the winkles on sale,and public health education should be strengthened.

Objective　To investigate the current status and attrition among HIV-infected persons receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and to analyze factors affecting attrition in Hainan. Methods　In this study, HIV-infected patients who started ART treatment in Hainan Province from 2005 to 2022 were selected from the antiviral treatment submodule of China Disease Prevention and Control Information System.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,a total of 4 286 HIV-infected persons were receiving . A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze factors affecting attrition. Results　Among the 4 286 study subjects, 3 718 were males (86.7%), with a sex ratio of 6.55∶1. Unmarried individuals accounted for 58.4%, and the average age was (39.68±13.17) years. Transmission through homosexual contact accounted for 49.8%, and 84.3% were in WHO clinical stage I. Treatment regimens containing Efavirenz (EFV) accounted for 71.7%. During a follow-up of 19 677.44 person-years, the overall attrition rate was 0.80 per 100 person-years, with the first-year post-ART initiation attrition rate being 21.10 per 100 person-years. The results of Cox regression analysis showed that the time of treatment initiation in 2016-2022 (AHR=2.40, 95%CI: 1.40-4.10), and the last HIV viral load (VL) 20-<1 000 copies/mL (AHR=3.69, 95%CI: 2.08-6.54), the last HIV-1 VL≥1 000 copies/mL (AHR=15.98, 95%CI: 9.46-27.01), and no last HIV-1 VL test (AHR=92.90, 95%CI: 57.68-149.62), the time interval from diagnosis to treatment for 1-12 months (AHR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.12-2.36), and an interval longer than 12 months (AHR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.07-2.62) were the main factors that increased the risk of attrition. Treatment regimens containing Lopinavir/ritonavir (Lpv/r) (AHR=0.34, 95%CI:0.18-0.66) and treatment regimens containing integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) (AHR=0.24, 95%CI: 0.09-0.58) were the factors that reduced the risk of attrition after antiretroviral therapy. Conclusions　The attrition of ART in HIV/AIDS patients in Hainan Province is related to a longer interval from diagnosis to treatment, treatment plan, and abnormal HIV viral load test results. Case-based measures should be taken to address factors influencing antiretroviral treatment attrition, while improving the timeliness of antiviral treatment and treatment management service quality to further improve the efficacy of antiviral treatment.

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to detect the expression level of interleukin-23 (IL-23) in tongue squamous cell carcinoma tissues and its relationship with clinical prognosis, as well as explore the anti-apoptotic and drug resistance of the tongue squamous cell line-SCC9 before and after treatment with IL-23.

METHODSThe expression of IL-23 in tumor tissues from 28 tongue cancer patients was analyzed by immunohistochemistry assay. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of Wingless-related integration site (Wnt)1 and c-myc in SCC9 cells treated with different IL-23 concentrations. After interferencing the β-catenin with small interfering RNA (siRNA), the expression of β-catenin, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2 (ABCG2), and permeability-glycoprotein (P-gp) in SCC9 was measured by Western blot analysis. The effect of IL-23 on the apoptotic resistance of SCC9 to cisplatin was examined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium test.

RESULTSThe expression of IL-23 in tongue cancer tissues was correlated with lymphatic metastasis, nerve invasion, and the recurrence after therapy (P<0.05). After dealing with IL-23, SCC9 showed the upregulation effect of Bcl-2, ABCG2 and P-gp expressions. IL-23 was closely related to the activation level of the Wnt pathway and significantly strengthened the resistance to cisplatin (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONIL-23 activates the Wnt pathway in tongue squamous cell carcinoma, thereby enhancing its resistance to apoptosis and drug.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cisplatin ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; physiology ; Humans ; Interleukin-23 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-23 Subunit p19 ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tongue Neoplasms ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

Objective To study the roles of abnormal expressions of Caspase-8 and protein kinase C(PKC)-β of cardiomyocytes in the development of the apoptosis of cardiomyocyte in diabetic rat. Methods Rats were divided into 4 groups:(1)normal control (NC, n=37),(2)rats given STZ injection and normal diet(STZ,n= 42), (3) rats fed with high fat and high sngar ( HFS, n= 37), (4)rats given STZ injection and high fat and high sugar diet (type 2 DM, n=64). Plasma glucose, insulin and lipids were detected. At the end of experiment, the animals were sacrificed, and their hearts were examined. Pathological changes were observed and the expressions of Caspase-8, PKC-β mRNA were determined by real time-PCR method; apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results (1)The body weight was higher in HFS group than in other three groups, and progressively decreased in type 2 diabetes group. The glucose level was highest in diabetic group, and was similar between groups of HFS and NC. (2)The apoptosis showed tendency to ascend during course of disease in diabetes model group. (3)The expressions of Caspase-8 and PKC-β mRNA were significantly enhanced in diabetes model group than in normal control group, and had a tendency to ascend during the course of disease.(4)The myocardial cells of the diabetic rats were rarified and swelling, fibrosis was observed. (5)At the 16th week, the level of plasma glucose was correlated positively with the expressions of Caspase-8 and PKC-β mRNA. Conclusions The enhancement of expressions of Caspase-8 amd PKC-β may play iportat rols in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy,in which apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes increased.

Based on the holism,the medical and health care model of the Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine & Western Medicine is referred that the practitioners who work with the TCM & Western medicine,apply the methods combined westem medicine with TCM to treat patients and health educationfrom the "person-centric" holism.Professor Ka-Kit Hui,who is the founder of the East and West Medical Center (CEWM) belonged to the University of California,Los Angeles vigorously advocate,and always adhere to the education and clinical.In this paper,we briefly introduced this model.Taking clinical case discussion of CEWM as an example,we focused on and summarized how the team of CEWM applied this model to train the clinical practitioners who would like to work in the Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine & Western Medicine.Through this paper,we hope we could get some useful references for the education of Chinese integrated traditional Chinese medicine & westem medicine practitioners.

Objective By using lung sound spectrum analysis, the clinical efficacy of asthma -relieving manipulation, which is a gentle massage therapy mainly on the acupoints, on acute exacerbation of children asthma was evaluated. Methods We collected the lung sound of 11 children with acute asthmatic attack before and after asthma-relieving manipulation, and then input to the computer for obtaining lung sound spectrum signal data. The sound intensity, average respiratory muscle strength ( RMS) power, total RMS power and the volume of every 25 Hz frequency spectrum were extracted for comparison. Results After asthma-relieving manipulation, the sound intensity, average RMS power, and total RMS power of the children with acute asthmatic attack were significantly lower than those before the manipulation (P<0.01). The results of lung sound spectrum analysis displayed that lung sound volume was significantly lower at frequency band 0~300 Hz after manipulation ( P<0.05 compared with that before the manipulation) . The difference of the lung sound volume was insignificant over frequency band 300 Hz before and after treatment ( P>0.05). Conclusion Lung sound spectrum analysis can be applied to monitor lung function of asthmatic children objectively and quantitatively, and it is a new sensitive method for clinical detection. Asthma-relieving manipulation shows certain effect on acute exacerbation of children asthma.