Objective To study the effect of chemokine receptor 7(CCR-7)small interfering RNA (siRNA)on proliferation and invagion of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck(SCCHN).Methods CCR-7 siRNA was co-transfected into SCCHN cell line PCI-4B using LipofectamineTM 2000.CCR-7 protein level was detected by western blotting.SCCHN cell proliferation was detected by MTT,and the change of actin cytoskeleton observed by confocal laser scanning microscope.Transwell assays were used to determine chemotaxis and invasion of SCCHN cells.The activity and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)were detected by TransAMTM NF-κB p65 kit and fluorescence microscope respectively.Results After CCR-7 siRNA transfection.the protein level of CCR-7 was significantly decreased.The changes induced by CCL-19,including increased proliferation rate,polarized actin polymerization,increased chemotaxis rate and invasion rate,were all abolished by CCR-7 siRNA transfection.CCR-7 siRNA also diminished CCL-19-induced NF-κB activation and nuclear translocation.Conclusions CCR-7 siRNA could inhibit expression of CCR-7 and diminish the increased proliferation and invasion of SCCHN induced by CCL-19 in vitro.CCR-7 siRNA may provide a potential treatment strategy for SCCHN.

Although many studies have investigated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), sample sizes in the reported studies are usually small and different in outcomes in different T and N subgroups are seldom analyzed. Herein, we evaluated the outcomes of NPC patients treated with IMRT and further explored treatment strategy to improve such outcome. We collected clinical data of 865 NPC patients treated with IMRT alone or in combination with chemotherapy, and classified all cases into the following prognostic categories according to different TNM stages: early stage group (T1-2N0-1M0), advanced local disease group (T3-4N0-1M0), advanced nodal disease group (T1-2N2-3M0), and advanced locoregional disease group (T3-4N2-3M0). The 5-year overall survival (OS), local relapse-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastases-free survival (DMFS) were 83.0%, 90.4%, and 84.0%, respectively. The early disease group had the lowest treatment failure rate, with a 5-year OS of 95.6%. The advanced local disease group and advanced nodal disease group had similar failure pattern and treatment outcomes as well as similar hazard ratios for death (4.230 and 4.625, respectively). The advanced locoregional disease group had the highest incidence of relapse and death, with a 5-year DMFS and OS of 62.3% and 62.2%, respectively, and a hazard ratio for death of 10.402. Comparing with IMRT alone, IMRT in combination with chemotherapy provided no significant benefit to locoregionally advanced NPC. Our results suggest that the decision of treatment strategy for NPC patients should consider combinations of T and N stages, and that IMRT alone for early stage NPC patients can produce satisfactory results. However, for advanced local, nodal, and locoregional disease groups, a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is recommended.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Objective:To explore the association between phase angle (PA) of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and nutritional risk assessed by Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) Subjective Global Assessment (SGA),and hospital length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.Methods:60 patients who underwent thoracic surgery were evaluated for nutrition risk and hospital length of stay (LOS) by NRS2002,SGA,albumin and bioelectrical impedance analysis.Results:The PA values were lower in the patients [men(3.85 ± 1.0)°,women(4.9 ± 0.6)°] than the control group [men(6.0 ± 1.0)°,women(5.4 ± 0.9)°,P ＜ 0.01].Patients were more likely to have lower PA values than the control group.NRS 2002:no risk (relative risk (RR) 2.8,95％ confidence interval (CI) =1.2 ～ 6.9),moderate risk (RR 3.9,95％ CI =1.8 ～ 8.6) and severe risk (RR 4.2,95％ CI =2.0 ～ 8.7);similar results were obtained by SGA:eutrophy (RR 2.5,95％ CI =0.9 ～ 6.9),Moderate malnutrition (RR 4.4,95％ CI =2.1 ～ 9.4),severe malnutrition (RR 3.9,95％CI =1.9 ～ 8.0);Patients with low PA values were more inclined to be hospitalized for more than 21 days compared with the control group (LOS ≥ 21 days,RR =4.4,95％ CI =2.2 ～ 2.8).Conclusion:There is a significant association between low PA values and nutritional risk and prolonged LOS.PA is helpful to identify patients who are at nutritional risk at hospital admission in order to provide an objective basis for determining the nutritional interventions of patients and judging the outcomes of the diseases.

Objective：The aim of this study was to evaluate radiation induced temporomandibular joint damage in the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and its correlative factors were analyzed. Methods： From November 7, 1966 to July 2, 1999, 352 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma received radical conventional radiotherapy were eligible for this analysis. The total dose of the temporomandibular joint were 51.90－ 78.89 gray and the overall treatment time were 35－ 141 days. The endpoint was the distance between two dens incisivus medialis (DDIM). The relationship between total doses and temporomandibular joint lesion was illustrated with curve estimation. Multivariate analysis with Logistic Regress was performed to evaluate the significance of prognostic variables on temporomandibular joint lesion. Results： The patient of DDIM60.00－ 70.00 gray, and >70.00－ 78.89 gray were 46.4％ , 53.5％ , and 62.3％ , respectively (P=0.050); and in the patients who insisted in opening mouths practice or not were 51.6％ and 61.7％ respectively (P=0.028); and in patients at age of 18－ 42 and 43－ 71 were 54.1％ and 62.7％ respectively(P=0.040). They were all significant prognostic factors for radiation induced temporomandibular joint lesion. Conclusion： Radiation induced temporomandibular joint lesion in radiation treated NPC patients was serious. The total dose of temporomandibular joint, opening mouths practice and age are three significant prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical outcome of 934 primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with conventional external beam radiotherapy alone.

METHODS34 patients were treated from Jan. 1, 1999 to Dec. 31, 1999. The radiation fields were delineated according to the CT/MRI imaging findings on disease extent. Two lateral opposing isocentric portals with customized blockings were used for the nasopharynx and upper neck. The dose delivered to tumor in the nasopharynx was 68-70 Gy/2 Gy fraction/7 weeks. The doses delivered to the neck was 60-70 Gy/6-7 weeks for patients with positive lymph nodes and 50 Gy/5 weeks for the patients with negative lymph node.

RESULTSThe 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year overall survival rate (OS) was 89.5%, 81.9%, 78.1% and 75.7%, and metastasis-free survival rate (MFS) was 84.0%, 77.2%, 74.4% and 72.0%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year disease-free survival rate (DFS) was 80.8%, 73.1%, 68.5% and 65.1%, and the relapse-free survival rate (RFS) was 95.5%, 92.7%, 90.3% and 87.3%, respectively. The overall failure rate was 30.9% (289/934). At the end of the radiotherapeutic course, the percentage of residual disease was 14.6%. The 4-year loco-regional recurrence and distant metastasis rates after radiotherapy were 7.2% and 9.2% with a median time of 19.3 months and 12.8 months.

CONCLUSIONIt may be helpful to improve radiotherapy curative effect when the target is individually designed through improving irradiation technique according to CT/MRI findings and by shortening the overall course time, enhancing irradiation dose and strictly implementing QA/QC measures.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; radiotherapy ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in cardiopulmonary function induced by mid/long-term simulated microgravity with 6° head down bed rest (HDBR), and the effects of Taikong Yangxin Prescription (, TYP) as a countermeasure.

METHODSFourteen healthy male volunteers were randomly divided into a control group and a Chinese medicine (CM) group (7 in each group) by a random digital table based on their body weight. Both groups underwent 6° HDBR for 60 days. Subjects in the CM group received daily TYP pills and subjects in the control group received daily placebo pills. Cardiac systolic and pumping functions were measured by echocardiography before HDBR; on days 20, 42, and 57 of HDBR; and on day 3 of recovery after HDBR (R+3). Cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity were evaluated before HDBR, on day 29, and on day R+3 by exercise testing.

RESULTSThe heart rate (HR) increased gradually during HDBR. The HR was significantly higher on day 57 than before HDBR in the control group (P<0.05), but did not increase significantly in the CM group. The stroke volume/stroke volume index, ejection fraction, and left ventricular fractional shortening tended to decrease over time in the control group, but not in the CM group. These parameters were significantly higher in the CM group than in the control group on day 42 (P<0.05 or <0.01). Exercise testing showed that maximum O2 consumption (VO2max), metabolic equivalents, relative O2 consumption (VO2), O2 pulse, and exercise duration were significantly lower on day 29 than before HDBR in the control group, but not in the CM group.

CONCLUSIONSSixty days of 6° HDBR induced a reduction in cardiac systolic and pumping functions, and reduced cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity. Administration of TYP significantly improved cardiac systolic and pumping functions, and maintained cardiopulmonary functional reserve and exercise capacity.

Adult ; Bed Rest ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Exercise Test ; Heart ; physiology ; Humans ; Lung ; physiology ; Male

OBJECTIVEThis study examined vegetable and fruit (VF) consumption rate and its associated factors among Chinese adults.

METHODSNationally representative data from the 2013 China Chronic Disease Surveillance survey were used. Dietary intake data, including VF consumption during the last 12 months, were collected. All analyses were weighted to obtain nationally representative estimates. Associations between VF consumption and other factors (e.g., meal frequency and physical activity) were examined through logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe average fruit consumption was 102.3 g/day (95% CI: 97.0-107.6) and the average vegetable consumption was 350.6 g/day (95% CI: 339.3-361.8). Over half (53.2%, 95% CI: 50.9-55.4) of Chinese adults met the VF consumption of 400 g/day recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Rural residents had a higher prevalence of low VF consumption rate than urban residents [49.20% (95% CI: 46.2%-52.2%) vs. 44.0% (95% CI: 41.7%-46.3%) P < 0.01]. Old age (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.01), low educational level, low income, minority ethnicity (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.15-1.74), underweight (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.03-1.33), single marital status (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08-1.33), low health literacy, irregular breakfast (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.38) or lunch (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.26-1.99) habits, and no leisure-time physical activity were associated with low VF consumption.

CONCLUSIONOnly half of Chinese adults met the VF consumption recommended by the WHO. Low socio-economic status, irregular diet, and poor health literacy were likely associated with low VF consumption. National efforts and programs are needed to promote VF consumption.