OBJECTIVETo study the epilepsy patients and their family members on their knowledge of the disease.

METHODSA 34-point questionnaire with 34 questions related to epilepsy knowledge was used for the survey on 170 pairs of epilepsy patients and their family members in Huashan hospital. Characters of the disease on the subjects were recorded.

RESULTSThe mean scores of the epilepsy knowledge of the patients and their family members were 16.5 +/- 8.2 and 16.1 +/- 8.5, respectively. The scores were quite low with no statistical difference between patients and their family members. The rate of correct answer in the urban subjects was obviously higher than those subjects living in the rural areas. All the subjects lacked the knowledge on the "cause of disease" when comparing with items as "diagnosis" and "treatment". Multivariate analysis showed that rural residents (P = 0.0001, OR = 52.963) and low education level (P = 0.0294, OR = 2.266) related to low epilepsy knowledge score among epilepsy patients. However, for family members, the factor related to low score was only living in the rural area (P = 0.0001, OR = 37.229).

CONCLUSIONEducation on the epilepsy knowledge should be strengthened, especially in the rural areas.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Epilepsy ; psychology ; Family Health ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Gene therapy is one of the most attractive fields in tumor therapy. In past decades, significant progress has been achieved. Various approaches, such as viral and non-viral vectors and physical methods, have been developed to make gene delivery safer and more efficient. Several therapeutic strategies have evolved, including gene-based (tumor suppressor genes, suicide genes, antiangiogenic genes, cytokine and oxidative stress-based genes) and RNA-based (antisense oligonucleotides and RNA interference) approaches. In addition, immune response-based strategies (dendritic cell- and T cell-based therapy) are also under investigation in tumor gene therapy. This review highlights the progress and recent developments in gene delivery systems, therapeutic strategies, and possible clinical directions for gene therapy.
Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genes, Transgenic, Suicide ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; therapy ; RNA Interference

Objective To investigate the breeding of acaroid mites in the stored food in Taiwan Province,China.Methods The breeding mites from samples selected from the markets in Hsinchu City,Taiwan Province were separated under a micro-scope.The isolations were used for slide preparation,then observed and identified under a microscope.Results Among the 39 species samples,13 species of acaroid mites were isolated from the samples.They belonged to 11 genera of 6 families.They were Acarus siro,Tyrophagus putrescentiae,Tyrophagus longior,Aleuroglyphus ovatus,Caloglyphus berlesei,Suidasia nesbitti,Lar-doglyphus konoi,Lepidoglyphus destructor,Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus,Chortoglyphus arcuatus,Carpoglyphus lactis,Der-matophagoides farina and Gohieria fuscus.Conclusions There are acaroid mites breeding in the commercial food in Hsinchu City,Taiwan Province,China.Therefore,relevant measures should be taken to control the breeding of acaroid mites.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODSA total of consecutive 823 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma from October 1996 to September 2001 were included in this study. All patients underwent curative liver resection and 126 patients (15.3%) received TACE post operation. The effects of postoperative TACE on the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma with different pathological characteristics such as tumor size, tumor capsule, number of nodules, vascular invasion and surgical margin was analyzed.

RESULTSPostoperative TACE had not decreased the recurrence rate in patients with a tumor diameter less than 3 cm. Postoperative TACE increased the disease-free survival for patients with tumor diameter of 3 - 10 cm, positive in alpha fetoprotein (AFP), presented vascular invasion or patients with tumor diameter larger than 10 cm, positive in AFP, multi-nodular, presented vascular invasion, resection margin less than 1 cm.

CONCLUSIONSPostoperative TACE can decrease recurrence rate and prolong the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with high risk factors for recurrence.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; prevention & control ; Neoplasm Staging ; Postoperative Care ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: The Nuclear Dbf2-related (NDR1) kinase is a member of the NDR/LATS family, which was a supplementary of Hippo pathway. However, whether NDR1 could inhibit glioblastoma (GBM) growth by phosphorylating Yes-associated protein (YAP) remains unknown. Meanwhile, the role of NDR1 in GBM was not clear. This study aimed to investigate the role of NDR1-YAP pathway in GBM. METHODS: Bioinformation analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to identify the expression of NDR1 in GBM. The effect of NDR1 on cell proliferation and cell cycle was analyzed utilizing CCK-8, clone formation, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, respectively. In addition, the xenograft tumor model was established as well. Protein interaction was examined by Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence to observe co-localization. RESULTS: Bioinformation analysis and IHC of our patients' tumor tissues showed that expression of NDR1 in tumor tissue was relatively lower than that in normal tissues and was positively related to a lower survival rate. NDR1 could markedly reduce the proliferation and colony formation of U87 and U251. Furthermore, the results of flow cytometry showed that NDR1 led to cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. Tumor growth was also inhibited in xenograft nude mouse models in NDR1-overexpression group. Western blotting and immunofluorescence showed that NDR1 could integrate with and phosphorylate YAP at S127 site. Meanwhile, NDR1 could mediate apoptosis process. CONCLUSION In summary, our findings point out that NDR1 functions as a tumor suppressor in GBM. NDR1 is identified as a novel regulator of YAP, which gives us an in-depth comprehension of the Hippo signaling pathway.
Animals ; Cell Nucleus/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Glioblastoma ; Humans ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

Humans ; Enhanced Recovery After Surgery ; Stomach Neoplasms/surgery* ; Length of Stay ; Laparoscopy ; Postoperative Complications ; Gastrectomy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of short-course kidney-invigorating therapy on near-term semen quality in asthenozoospermic men with kidney deficiency.

METHODSBased on the differential types in traditional Chinese medicine, 121 asthenozoospermia patients received at our clinic of andrology were divided into groups A (kidney-yin deficiency), B (kidney-yang deficiency) and C (spleen and kidney deficiency), and treated with Yougui Decoction plus Wuziyanzong Pills, Jinkuishenqi Pills plus Wuziyanzong Pills, and Shizi Decoction plus Liujunzi Decoction, respectively, all given once daily for 4 weeks. Sperm parameters of the patients were analyzed with the computer-assisted sperm analysis system before and after treatment and compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThe baseline sperm concentrations in groups A, B and C ([70.4 +/- 38.6], [73.5 +/- 40.2] and [56.0 +/-34.4] x 10(6)/ml) showed no significant differences from those after medication ([74.4 +/- 32.6], [67.0 +/- 30.8] and [58.6 +/- 24.6] x 10(6)/ml) (P > 0.05). The percentages of grade a sperm in the three groups were (12.9 +/- 5.3)%, (13.7 +/- 7.7)% and (12.9 +/- 6.4)% respectively after treatment, significantly higher than (9.9 +/- 6.7)%, (9.3 +/- 5.4)% and (9.0 +/- 6.8)% before treatment (P < 0.05), and so were the percentages of grade a + b sperm ([37.4 +/- 10.2 ]%, [35.7 +/- 13.7]% and [35.9 +/- 12.3]% after treatment versus [29.6 +/- 13.2]%, [27.5 +/- 10.4]% and [28.3 +/- 12.1]% before treatment, P < 0.05). All the three groups showed significantly increased sperm motility after treatment ([53.8 +/- 10.5]%, [52.6 +/- 15.2]% and [51.1 +/- 13.1]%) as compared with the baseline levels ([44.3 +/- 14.0]%, [43.5 +/- 15.0]% and [42.4 +/- 14.9]%) (P < 0.05). The cure rate and total effectiveness rate were significantly higher in group B than in A (P < 0.05), but had no significant differences between either A and C or B and C (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONShort-course kidney-invigorating therapy can significantly improve near-term semen quality in asthenozoospermic men with kidney asthenia, especially in those with kidney-yang deficiency, and it has no obvious adverse effects.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Oligospermia ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Semen Analysis ; Yang Deficiency ; Young Adult

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; complications ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDLoss of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) expression is an adverse prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of CEACAM1 and its effect on relapse-free survival (RFS) following liver transplantation (LT) for HCC.

METHODSExpression of CEACAM1 was immunohistochemically detected in HCC specimens from 48 patients. The relationship between CEACAM1 expression and clinicopathologic variables, as well as tumor recurrence, was further analyzed.

RESULTSOf the 48 HCC specimens, membranous CEACAM1 expression was detected in 25 specimens and cytoplasmic CEACAM1 expression was detected in 19 specimens. Four specimens had loss of CEACAM1 expression. Loss of membranous CEACAM1 expression was significantly associated with tumor size, tumor number, and serum α-fetoprotein levels (all P < 0.05). Patients with loss of membranous CEACAM1 had significantly poorer RFS than patients with membranous expression, determined via Kaplan-Meier analysis (P = 0.027). Multivariate analysis revealed that loss of membranous CEACAM1 expression might be an independent prognostic factor of RFS for HCC patients after liver transplantation (P = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONLoss of membranous CEACAM1 expression in HCC was closely associated with aggressive tumor biology and might be a relapsing biomarker of HCC treated with LT.

Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; mortality ; surgery ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; mortality ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To summarize the clinical experience of pulmonary lobectomy by uniportal video-assisted thoracoscope in parallel position.Methods The clinical data of 90 patients who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in Zhongshan Hospital(Xiamen Branch),Fudan University were retrospectively analyzed.Among them,41 patients underwent lobectomy by uniportal thoracoscope in parallel position,and 49 patients underwent lobectomy by uniportal thoracoscope in non-parallel position.The perioperative related indicators of the two groups were compared.Results There was no significant statistical difference between the parallel uniportal thoracoscopic group and the non-parallel uniportal thoracoscopic group in terms of operation time[(135.2±18.1)min vs.(132.7±25.6)min],intraoperative blood loss[(100.1±27.2)mL vs.(117.3±33.5)mL],postperative extubation time[(3.0±0.7)d vs.(3.1±0.9)d],hospitalization time after operation[(4.3±1.3)d vs.(4.8±1.5)d]and relapse rate after surgery in 3 year(7.32%vs.10.20%).Conclusion Lobectomy by uniportal thoracoscope in parallel position was safe and feasible in technique.