OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between Chinese medicine (CM) therapy and disease-free survival (DFS) outcomes in postoperative patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: This multiple-center prospective cohort study was conducted in 13 medical centers in China. Patients with stage I, II, or IIIA NSCLC who had undergone radical resection and received conventional postoperative treatment according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines were recruited. The recruited patients were divided into a CM treatment group and a control group according to their wishes. Patients in the CM treatment group received continuous CM therapy for more than 6 months or until disease progression. Patients in the control group received CM therapy for less than 1 month. Follow-up was conducted over 3 years. The primary outcome was DFS, with recurrence/metastasis rates as a secondary outcome. RESULTS: Between May 2013 and August 2016, 503 patients were enrolled into the cohort; 266 were classified in the CM treatment group and 237 in the control group. Adjusting for covariates, high exposure to CM was associated with better DFS [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.417, 95% confidential interval (CI): 0.307-0.567)]. A longer duration of CM therapy (6-12 months, 12-18 months, >24 months) was associated with lower recurrence and metastasis rates (HR = 0.225, 0.119 and 0.083, respectively). In a subgroup exploratory analysis, CM therapy was also a protective factor of cancer recurrence and metastasis in both stage I-IIIA (HR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.37-0.67) and stage IIIA NSCLC postoperative patients (HR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.33-0.71), DFS was even longer among CM treatment group patients. CONCLUSIONS Longer duration of CM therapy could be considered a protective factor of cancer recurrence and metastasis. CM treatment is associated with improving survival outcomes of postoperative NSCLC patients in China. (Registration No. ChiCTR-OOC-14005398).

Objective To investigate the correlation of wavefront aberration and myopic development in school-age children.Methods Together 150 school-age children (300 eyes) in Beijing city were collected and underwent cycloplegic refractometry for detect the refraction status and Allegretto wavefront aberrometry for the measurement of wavefront aberration for 1-year follow up.Results Totally 132 children were successfully followed up and only 120 children were included in this study.The average increased diopter was (0.74 ± 0.55) D.It was found that the development of myopia was correlated with age,myopic duration and the baseline diopter (all P ＜ 0.01),and the wavefront aberration was correlated with age (P ＜ 0.05).There were significant difference in the third order RMS value and C7 (coma) between the myopic children with rapid progress and slow progress.C12 (spherical aberration) was significantly correlated with the change of diopter (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Both third order RMS and C7 (coma) may be the major contributors for myopia progress in school-age children,and the increased diopter may polarize the spherical aberration toward minus values.

Objective To demonstrate the feasibility and necessity of constructivist pedagogy for teaching biomedical electronics so as to create a new instructional mode. Methods The new mode for teaching biomedical electronics was discussed from two aspects of teaching thought and practice with considerations on constructivist pedagogy connotation as well as the actualities of teaching resources and object. Results Instructional thoughts which boosted students' thinking ability,learning habits and confidence were developed.The instructional practice,which included integrated teaching units, problem-based discussion,task-driven experiment content,was also been achieved.Conclusion The reform of instructional mode gains high practical effect, and provides pedagogical implications to other specialized courses of biomedical engineering.

Soxhlet extraction is a common method of sample preparation. However, there has been no discussion about the efficiency of Soxhlet extraction from different batches and the factors that cause content fluctuation. In this study, Panax ginseng was selected as a model sample. Soxhlet extraction by means of a water bath, which has always been neglected, was identified as a novel key factor in the poor repeat-ability in different batches of Soxhlet extraction, as it can affect the siphon times and reflux time, which have been positively correlated with the ginsenoside contents. By substituting round bottom flasks in the same column, the relative standard deviation of the most fluctuated compound, ginsenoside Rb1, was decreased from 24.6% to 5.02%. Scanning electron microscopy analysis confirmed that the breakdown of the surface of the ginseng powder in the Soxhlet extraction led to a better dissolution of ginsenosides, indicating that chloroform may promote the extraction of ginsenosides by disrupting the cell structure. Moreover, 70% methanol was regarded as the better solvent for extracting the ginsenosides. Overall, this work offers a practical and effective protocol for improving the accuracy and repeatability of Soxhlet extraction methodology for ginsenosides and other analytes.

OBJECTIVETo explore the individualized treatment for patient with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia(CML-CP).

METHODSThe clinical data and treatment process of one CML-CP patient which intolerated to nilotinib were analyzed.

RESULTSNilotinib was given to the patient once the diagnosis of CML-CP was set. Although major molecular remission (MMR) and complete cytogenetic remission (CCyR) were obtained during treatment for 3 months, a grade 3-4 hepatotoxicity appeared in the course of treatment.With drug reduction and symptomatic treatment, nilotinib was discontinued after 3 withdrawals and replaced with imatinib in January 11, 2015. The patients achieved MMR and CCyR at 7 months after imatinib replacement. At present, the patient tolerated well without any adverse events.

CONCLUSIONImatinib can be used as a second-line treatment drug for CML patients who was intolerant to nilotinib, and with less adverts, good effect and so on.

Antineoplastic Agents ; Benzamides ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; Piperazines ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; Pyrimidines ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) based on optical microangiography (OMAG) measurements of macular vessels in normal eyes.

METHODSIn this prospective cohort study, 40 eyes of 40 healthy volunteers underwent repeated OCTA (Cirrus HD-OCT 5000 angiography system, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.) scans on two separate visit days. On each visit day, the eyes were scanned three times. The following parameters were used to quantitatively describe the OCTA images of the superficial vascular network: vessel area density (VAD), vessel skeleton density (VSD), vessel diameter index (VDI), vessel perimeter index (VPI), vessel complexity index (VCI), flux, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ). Coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated for evaluating intravisit and intervisit repeatability, as well as interobserver reproducibility.

RESULTSThe measurements showed high repeatability [CVs ⪕ 4.2% (intravisit) and ⪕ 4.6% (intervisit)] and interobserver reproducibility (ICCs ⪖ 0.923) for all parameters.

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated good repeatability and reproducibility of OCTA based on OMAG for the measurement of superficial vessel parameters in normal eyes.

Adult ; Cohort Studies ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; standards ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Microvessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Reproducibility of Results ; Retina ; diagnostic imaging ; Retinal Vessels ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; standards ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics of tuberculous serpiginous-like choroiditis (Tb-SLC) and serpiginous choroiditis (SC) and to perform OCT to differentiate between these conditions.

METHODSThis retrospective, case-control study examined consecutively enrolled patients with active Tb-SLC or SC. Patients underwent comprehensive ocular examinations and imaging (OCT, color fundus photography, autofluorescence imaging, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography). Findings were examined and compared between eyes with SC and Tb-SLC.

RESULTSNine patients with active Tb-SLC (14 eyes) and 8 with active SC (12 eyes) were included. The following OCT findings were observed significantly more often in the Tb-SLC group than in the SC group: vitreal hyper-reflective spots [5 Tb-SLC eyes (36%), no SC eyes; P = 0.02], intraretinal edema [11 Tb-SLC eyes (79%), 3 SC eyes (25%); P = 0.01], sub-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) drusenoid deposits [11 Tb-SLC eyes (79%), 2 SC eyes (17%); P < 0.01], and choroidal granulomas [8 Tb-SLC eyes (57%), 2 SC eyes (17%); P = 0.03]. A hyporeflective, wedge-shaped band was observed more often in the SC group [5 Tb-SLC eyes (36%), 9 SC eyes (75%); P = 0.045] than in the Tb-SLC group. The incidence of other OCT signs did not differ between the groups and included outer nuclear layer hyper-reflection, outer retinal tabulation, and choriocapillaris point-like hyper-reflection.

CONCLUSIONVitreal hyper-reflective spots, intraretinal fluid, sub-RPE drusenoid deposits, and choroidal granulomas on OCT images may indicate Tb-SLC. Additionally, a hyporeflective, wedge-shaped band may indicate SC. Therefore, OCT is likely helpful in differentiating between Tb-SLC and SC.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Choroiditis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Tuberculosis, Ocular ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology

BACKGROUNDThe radiochemotherapy regimen concomitantly employing temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) 4 weeks after surgery, followed by 6 cycles of TMZ is a common treatment for glioblastoma (GBM). However, its median overall survival (OS) is only 14.6 months. This study was to explore the effectiveness and safety of early TMZ chemotherapy between surgery and chemoradiotherapy plus the standard concomitant radiochemotherapy regimen.

METHODSA randomized, parallel group, open-label study of 99 newly diagnosed GBM patients was conducted at 10 independent Chinese neurosurgical departments from June 2008 to June 2012. Patients were treated with concomitant radiochemotherapy regimen plus early postsurgical temozolomide (early TMZ group) or standard concomitant radiochemotherapy regimen (control group). Overall response was assessed based on objective tumor assessments, administration of corticosteroid and neurological status test. Hematological, biochemical, laboratory, adverse event (AE), and neurological condition were measured for 24 months of follow-up. The primary efficacy endpoint of this study was overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS).

RESULTSThe median OS time in the early TMZ group was 17.6 months, compared with 13.2 months in the control group (log-rank test P = 0.021). In addition, the OS rate in the early TMZ group was higher at 6, 12, and 18 months than in the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). The median PFS time was 8.7 months in the early TMZ group and 10.4 months in the control group (log-rank test P = 0.695). AEs occurred in 29 (55.8%) and 31(73.8%) patients respectively in early and control groups, including nausea (15.4% vs. 33.3%), vomiting (7.7% vs. 28.6%), fever (7.7% vs. 11.9%), and headache (3.8% vs. 23.8%). Only 30.8% and 33.3% were drug-related, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSAddition of TMZ chemotherapy in the early break of the standard concomitant radiochemotherapy regimen was well tolerated and significantly improved the OS of the GBM patients, compared with standard concomitant radiochemotherapy regimen. However, a larger randomized trial is warranted to verify these results.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating ; therapeutic use ; Chemoradiotherapy ; methods ; Dacarbazine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Glioblastoma ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Recently, compound Ejiao slurry (FFEJJ) had been applied to treat cancer patients in clinic, with obvious curative effect. In this study, data and literatures were collected from the TCM chemical component database to establish the chemical component database of FFEJJ. Afterwards, MetaDrug software was used to predict the targets of FFEJJ and obtain the compound-target network. Next, the compound-target network was compared and analyzed to obtain the "compound-target-tumor target" heterogeneous network. Besides, further analysis was made on gene functions and metabolic pathway. The results indicated that FFEJJ could directly resist tumors by regulating cancer cell differentiation, growth, proliferation and apoptosis, and show an adjuvant therapeutic effect by enriching the blood and increasing the immunity.
Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; drug effects ; Humans ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Erigeron Breviscapus (EB) at different concentrations and different intervention time points on the mRNA and protein expression of OPG/RANKL/RANK in MG63 osteoblast-like cells and RAW264. 7 pre-osteoclast cells cultured in vitro, thus exploring roles EB played in bone rebuilding and its mechanisms.

METHODSMG63 osteoblast-like cells and RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells were cultured in vitro. The 3rd passage cells were divided into the control group and different experimental groups. Total RNA and protein were respectively isolated from cells treated with different concentrations of EB (0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/mL) for 48 h. Meanwhile, the protein was extracted from 0 and 1 mg/mL EB groups at 12, 24, and 48 h respectively. Expression of OPG mRNA and RANKL mRNA in MG63 osteoblast-like cells, and expression of RANK mRNA in RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of OPG protein and RANKL protein in MG63 osteoblast-like cells, and expression of RANK protein in RAW264. 7 pre-osteoclast cells were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSAlong with increased EB concentration, expression of OPG mRNA and protein in MG63 osteoblast-like cells was gradually lowered (P < 0.05) after 48-h intervention of EB, the expression of RANKL mRNA and protein in MG63 osteoblast-like gradually increased (P < 0.05); the expression of RANK mRNA in RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells increased (P < 0.05). But the expression of RANK mRNA was slightly lower in the 0.1 mg/mL EB group than in the 0.01 mg/mL EB group, and the expression of RANK protein in RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells gradually increased (P < 0.05). After treatment with 1 mg/mL EB for 12, 24, 48 h, the expression of OPG protein in MG63 osteoblast-like cells gradually decreased as time went by (P < 0.05), and the expression of RANKL protein in MG63 osteoblast-like and RANK protein in RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells gradually increased (P < 0.05). The expression of RANKL protein in RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells increased as time went by (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEB could inhibit the expression of OPG in osteoblasts in a dose- and time-dependent manner, promote the expression of RANKL in osteoblasts and the secretion of RANK in pre-osteoclast, indicating EB might play roles in promoting bone resorption.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Erigeron ; Humans ; Mice ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteoclasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Osteoprotegerin ; metabolism ; RANK Ligand ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; metabolism