Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate long-term survivals and toxicities of early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in endemic area, evaluating the role of chemotherapy in stage II patients. Materials and Methods: Totally 187 patients with newly diagnosed NPC and restaged American Joint Committee on Cancer/ International Union Against Cancer 8th T1-2N0-1M0 were retrospectively recruited. All received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)±chemotherapy (CT) from 2001 to 2010. Results: With 15.7-year median follow-up, 10-year locoregional recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) were 93.3%, 93.5%, 92.9% and 88.2%, respectively. Multivariable analyses showed cervical lymph nodes positive and pre-treatment prognostic nutritional index ≥ 52.0 could independently predict DMFS (p=0.036 and p=0.011), DSS (p=0.014 and p=0.026), and OS (p=0.002 and p < 0.001); Charlson comorbidity index < 3 points could predict DSS (p=0.011); age > 45 years (p=0.002) and pre-treatment lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 240 U/L (p < 0.001) predicted OS. No grade 4 late toxicity happened; grade 3 late toxicities included subcutaneous fibrosis (4.3%), deafness or otitis (4.8%), skin dystrophy (2.1%), and xerostomia (1.1%). No differences on survivals were shown between IMRT+CT vs. IMRT alone in stage II patients, even in T2N1M0 (p > 0.05). Unsurprising, patients in IMRT+CT had more acute gastrointestinal reaction, myelosuppression, mucositis, late ear toxicity, and cranial nerve injury (all p < 0.05) than IMRT alone group. Conclusion Superior tumor control and satisfying long-term outcomes could be achieved with IMRT in early-stage NPC with mild late toxicities. As CT would bring more toxicities, it should be carefully performed to stage II patients.

Background::The preferred therapeutic regimen for Toxoplasma encephalitis (TE) is a combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) plus azithromycin is the widespread alternative therapeutic regimen. The synergistic sulfonamides tablet contains TMP, sulfadiazine, and SMX and hypothetically could be used for TE treatment. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of synergistic sulfonamides plus clindamycin (regimen B) with TMP-SMX plus azithromycin (regimen A) for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated TE.Methods::This was an open-labeled, multi-center randomized controlled trial recruited from 11 centers. Each recruited patient was randomly assigned to receive regimen A or regimen B for at least 6 weeks. The overall response was evaluated by assessment of the clinical response of TE-associated clinical features and the radiological response of TE-associated radiological findings. The overall response rate, clinical response rate, radiological response rate, and adverse events were assessed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks. Death events were compared between the two regimens at 6, 12, and 24 weeks.Results::A total of 91 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)/TE patients were included in the final analysis (44 in regimen A vs. 47 in regimen B). The overall response rate, which refers to the combined clinical and radiological response, was 18.2% (8/44) for regimen A and 21.3 % (10/47) for regimen B at week 6. The results of clinical response showed that, in comparison with regimen A, regimen B may perform better with regards to its effect on the relief of clinical manifestations (50.0% [22/44] vs. 70.2% [33/47], P = 0.049). However, no significant differences in radiological response, mortality events, and adverse events were found between the two regimens at week 6. Conclusions::Synergistic sulfonamides plus clindamycin, as a novel treatment regimen, showed no significantly different efficacy and comparable safety in comparison with the TMP-SMX plus azithromycin regimen. In addition, the regimen containing synergistic sulfonamides may exhibit advantages in terms of clinical symptom alleviation.Trial Registration::ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR1900021195.

Objective To explore the effects of triclosan (TCS) on the immune function of mice. Methods Forty male and female Kunming mice (25±2 g) were selected. The animals were divided into 5 groups according to body weight ratio, including a blank control (saline solution) group, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group, and three triclosan solution groups (59.375 mg/kg, 118.75 mg/kg, and 237.5 mg/kg, respectively). There were 8 mice in each group, half male and half female. Animals were treated with TCS by intragastric administration once a day for two weeks. Upon the completion of the treatment, animals were sacrificed, the spleen, thymus and other tissues were collected, and the ratios of their weight to body weigh were calculated. The peripheral blood was taken by eye-ball removal method, and the half hemolysis value was determined. Results Compared with the positive control group, the spleen index of male mice in the medium dose group and high dose group increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the spleen index of female mice in the high dose group showed significant difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the positive control group, the thymus index of male high dose group was significantly different (P < 0.05). The thymus indexes of female high, medium, and low dose groups all were significantly different compared to the control group (P < 0.05). HC50 results showed that the HC50 of both male and female mice decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusion High concentration of triclosan can inhibit the immune function of Kunming mice.

Objective:To investigate clinicians' compliance with the 2018 Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) update "1-hour sepsis Bundle therapy" (1-hour Bundle) when treating patients with Sepsis 3 in the intensive care unit (ICU), and to analyze its impact on patient outcomes.Methods:A multicenter, prospective observational cohort study was conducted. A total of 153 ICU patients in Ziyang First People's Hospital, Ziyang People's Hospital and Yanjiang District People's Hospital who were diagnosed of sepsis by the definition and diagnostic criteria of Sepsis 3 from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected. Among them, 95 patients who had completed 1-hour Bundle were divided into the Bundle compliance group. 58 patients who did not complete the Bundle within 1 hours were classified as the Bundle non-compliance group. The distribution of pathogenic bacteria and infected sites, 1-hour Bundle compliance and 28-day survival in the 3 hospitals were analyzed. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the risk factors affecting the prognostic between the two groups of sepsis patients. Cox regression model was used to draw a 28-day survival curve to evaluate the survival of the patients in the two groups.Results:Among 153 sepsis patients in 3 hospitals, the detection rate of pathogenic bacteria was 61.44% (94/153), and Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 79.79% (75/94). The top 3 infection sites were respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and urinary system, accounted for 32.0%, 28.1% and 18.3%, respectively. In the 3 hospitals, 62.09% (95/153) of patients fully implemented the 1-hour Bundle. The poorly implemented indicators in the 1-hour Bundle were 1-hour blood microbial culture [77.78% (119/153)] and 1-hour antimicrobial application [79.74% (122/153)]. There was no significant difference in the baseline indicators between Bundle compliance and non-compliance groups. Univariate analysis showed that the main prognostic indicators: 28-day survival rate in the Bundle compliance group was significantly higher than that in the Bundle non-compliance group [80.00% (76/95) vs. 62.06% (36/58), χ2= 6.447, P = 0.014]. Secondary evaluation indicators: mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 6 hours and 24 hours in the Bundle compliance group were significantly higher than those in the Bundle non-compliance group [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 78.22±11.25 vs. 69.86±14.04, 79.78±11.45 vs. 75.35±12.90]. However, the median length of in hospital stay in the Bundle compliance group was significantly longer than that in the Bundle non-compliance group [days: 13 (17) vs. 6 (11)], with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05). Bivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that 6 hours and 24 hours MAP were risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with sepsis [odds ratio ( OR), 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.064 (0.994-1.102), 1.032 (1.003-1.063), both P < 0.05]. Conclusions:The 1-hour Bundle compliance rate of ICU patients with sepsis in 3 hospitals of Ziyang City was 62.09%, and the compliance is still to be improved, especially for the 2 aspects of empirical antimicrobial use and microbial culture retention before antimicrobial use. The 28-day survival rate in the Bundle compliance group was significantly higher than that in the Bundle non-compliance group, suggesting that the 1-hour Bundle regimen can improve the prognosis of patients with sepsis.

Objective:To establish an evaluation index system of hospital culture construction led by Party building in public hospitals, and to explore the relationships among Party building, hospital culture and patient satisfaction, and explain the mediating effect of hospital culture between Party building and patient satisfaction.Methods:Literature review and two rounds of Delphi method were used to create an evaluation index system of hospital culture construction led by Party building in public hospitals. On such basis, a questionnaire was designed and 429 staff from 33 public hospitals in Shanghai were surveyed through April and June 2021. Cronbach α coefficient method and exploratory factor analysis were used to test the reliability and validity of the indexes, and the regression analysis method was used to verify the mediating effects. Results:Following two rounds of Delphi survey run by 14 experts, a performance evaluation index system for the hospital culture construction was constructed, comprising 5 level-1, 13 level-2 and 29 level-3 indexes. The Cronbach α coefficients of overall indexes and 5 level-1 indexes fell in the range of 0.860-0.901( P<0.01), and the retest reliability of overall index and 5 level-1 indexes fell between 0.91-0.93( P<0.01). Based on the exploratory factor analysis, all of the characteristic roots of the factors generated by orthogonal rotation were>1, and the total variance explained contribution rate was 56.84%, proving the good validity of the indexes. The effect of Party building on patient satisfaction was significant( β1=0.139, P<0.01), and that on hospital culture effect significant as well( β2=0.168, P<0.01), while that on patient satisfaction was also significant( β3=0.115, δ=0.448, P<0.01)with hospital culture effect introduced as the mediating effect. Conclusions:The evaluation index system of hospital culture construction led by Party building proves highly scientific and effective, and hospital culture plays to some extent a mediating role between Party building and patient satisfaction. This proves that Party building presents a significant transmission effect on patient satisfaction through hospital culture building. The study provides a reference for strengthening Party building and hospital culture construction and improving patient satisfaction in public hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism by which dripping pills (STDP) improves coronary microcirculation disorder (CMD) and cardiac dysfunction in a porcine model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Fourteen minipigs were randomly selected for interventional balloon occlusion of the middle left anterior descending branch to induce CMD, and another 7 pigs received sham operation. The pig models of CMD were randomized equally into the model group and STDP-treated group. All the animals were fed with common feed for 8 weeks, and in STDP-treated group, the pigs were given STDP at the daily dose of 3 mg/kg (mixed with feed) for 8 weeks. Before and at the 8th week after the operation, the pigs underwent coronary angiography and echocardiography to determine the vessel lumen diameter and TIMI frame count (CTFC). The pathologies of the myocardium and the microvessels were examined with HE staining at the 8th week. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of silencing information regulator (Sirt1), peroxidase proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERKI/2), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in myocardial tissue. RESULTS: Before and at the 8th week after the operation, the diameter of the anterior descending vessel in the 3 groups did not differ significantly ( > 0.05). At the 8th week, the number of CTFC frames in the model group increased significantly compared with that in the sham-operated group, but was obviously lowered by treatment with STDP ( < 0.05). Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury significantly increased the interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole, left ventricular end-diastole dimension, end-diastole volume, interventricular septal thickness at end-systole and left ventricular mass at 8 weeks after the modeling ( < 0.05), but such changes were significantly alleviated by treatment with STDP (P < 0.05). STDP treatment markedly alleviated myocardial microvascular congestion, thrombosis and peripheral inflammatory cell infiltration induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, but atrophy of the myocardial muscle fiber remained distinct. STDP obviously suppressed the down-regulation of Sirt1, PGC-1α, and PPARα and the up-regulation of ERK1/ 2, TLR4, and UCP2 in the myocardial tissues induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. CONCLUSIONS STDP has anti-inflammatory effects and regulates energy metabolism in the myocardium through modulating Sirt1, PGC-1α, PPARα, ERKI/2, TLR4, and UCP2 to improve CMD and cardiac dysfunction after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Microcirculation ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; Myocardium ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Swine

A male patient, with diagnose of Madelung disease, was admitted in September 2009. He has been a heavy drinker for decades before onset of the disease. This patient was characterized by the large amount of symmetrical deposits of adipose tissue in the subcutaneous layer around neck, and without obesity on other sites. The excessive adipose tissue was surgically removed by three steps. Appearance almost returned to normal. No recurrence happened after 8 years of follow-up.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of ABL2 in lung cancer and its mech-anism. Methods The expression of ABL2 in lung cancer and adjacent tissues was detected by Real-Time PCR. A lung adenocarci-noma A549 cell line stably expressing of ABL2 was established,and the changes of cell proliferation and migration ability were detec-ted by MTT,cell migration and colony formation assays. Western blot was used to detect the expression of EMT,apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related proteins. Results The expression of ABL2 in lung cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues(P<0. 001). After silencing ABL2 in the A549 cells,compared with the control group,the migration ability of cells was weakened after 48 hours(P<0. 001),the growth rate of cells began to slow down from the third day(P<0. 05),and the average number of clones formed after 15 days also decreased(P<0. 01). The expression of E-cadherin( P<0. 001) was increased in the epithelial cell marker after silencing ABL2,and the expression of stromal cell markers N -cadherin ( P <0. 001),Vimentin ( P <0. 01)and Snail(P<0. 001)was decreased. The expression of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-XL(P<0. 01)was decreased and BAX ( P<0. 001)expression was up-regulated. The expression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-associated proteins such as PI3K P110 (P<0. 05),AKT(P<0. 01) and p-AKT( P<0. 05) was significantly decreased. Conclusion Silencing ABL2 gene can promote apoptosis,and inhibit proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells through a PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective To investigatethe effect of LED single wave infrared red light irradiation combined with traditional Chinese medicine iontophoresis on diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods During May 2017 and January 2015, 120 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in double lower extremities, hospitalized in the department of endocrinology in our hospital, were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group, with 60 cases in each group. The two groups were both treated with conventional interventions including strict control of blood glucose, blood pressure, diet nursing, exercise therapy, foot care and psychological counseling. In addition to the care as done in the control group, the observation group was treated with iontophoresis of traditional Chinese medicine combined with LED single wave infrared red light irradiation for 3 courses, 14 days for each course, The two groups were compared in terms of limb numbness score, dorsal artery blood flow volume, ankle brachial index and score by Toronto clinical scoring symptom before and after intervention. Results The post-treatment score of numbness in the extremities of the observation group was lower than the post-treatment score of the control group as well as the pre-treatment score of the observation group. The post-treatment blood flow of the dorsum of the foot in the observation group was greater than the post-treatment flow in the control group as well as the pre-treatment flow in the observation group and so it is with the ankle brachial index. Conclusions LED single wave infrared red light irradiation combined with traditional Chinese medicine iontophoresis can to a certain extent control and delay the process of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It can improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective To study the clinical efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of autonomous functional thyroid nodules(AFTN) . Methods Sixty-seven nodules of 53 AFTN patients who refused or were not suitable for surgical resection and 131I therapy were enrolled in the study . All the nodules were evaluated by ultrasound ,color Doppler flow imaging ( CDFI) and contrast enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) ,and all of them were benign and confirmed by pathology . And then ,percutaneous MWA was performed . Fluid isolation and mobile ablation were used to completely inactivate the nodules ,and CEUS was used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment . The following items included thyroid hormone level ,nodule volume ,nodular blood supply ,thyroid radionuclide imaging ,conscious symptom ,beauty score and complication . Finally ,the factors influencing the curative effect were analyzed . Results The follow-up period was at least 12 months . Compared with before treatment ,the differences of thyroid hormone level , the volume of nodules ,the nodule blood supply were statistically significant ( P ＜ 0 .01) . The 61 hot nodules" changed to cold or warm nodules" . The differences between the improvement ratio of conscious symptoms and beauty scores were statistically significant( P ＜ 0 .05) . The cure ratio in this study was 81 .13% ,and the incidence of complications was 11 .32% ,and the recurrence ratio was 4 .48% . The nodule volume≥14 .04 ml or in a dangerous position were the main factors affecting the curative effect . Conclusions MWA can inactivate the AFTN in situ ,make it lose the secretory function and reduce the volume of nodules . Therefore ,percutaneous MWA guided by ultrasound and CEUS treatment of AFTN can be regarded as another safe and effective treatment besides surgical resection or 131I therapy .