Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new modality for cancer therapy, which has been used in the clinical treatment for various tumors, such as skin cancer, bladder cancer and prostate cancer. Most photosensitizers have the disadvantages of hydrophobic, low bioavailability and the limited tumor targeting ability. The nanoscale delivery systems can improve the solubility of photosensitizers and enhance their accumulation at the tumor sites. The multifunctional nano-delivery systems are prepared in combination with other anti-tumor drugs to enhance the anti-tumor effect. In addition to addressing the issues of poor solubility and the insufficient tumor targeting ability, the nanoscale delivery systems need to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of photosensitizers, facilitating their rapid accumulation at the tumor sites and quick elimination in vivo, and reducing the skin phototoxicity. This review summarizes the recent clinical application of PDT of cancer, the development of photosensitizers, the delivery systems for photosensitizers and the combinatorial application with other therapeutic methods. The goal is to present an understanding of knowledge on the design of new types of photosensitizers and its clinical application in PDT of cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Cidan Capsule combined with adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with a high risk of early recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients with high-risk recurrence factors after curative resection of HCC from 9 medical centers between July 2014 and July 2018. Totally 249 patients were randomly assigned to TACE with or without Cidan Capsule administration groups by stratified block in a 1:1 ratio. Postoperative adjuvant TACE was given 4-5 weeks after hepatic resection in both groups. Additionally, 125 patients in the TACE plus Cidan group were administrated Cidan Capsule (0.27 g/capsule, 5 capsules every time, 4 times a day) for 6 months with a 24-month follow-up. Primary endpoints included disease-free survival (DFS) and tumor recurrence rate (TRR). Secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Any drug-related adverse events (AEs) were observed and recorded. RESULTS: As the data cutoff in July 9th, 2018, the median DFS was not reached in the TACE plus Cidan group and 234.0 days in the TACE group (hazard ratio, 0.420, 95% confidence interval, 0.290-0.608; P<0.01). The 1- and 2-year TRR in the TACE plus Cidan and TACE groups were 31.5%, 37.1%, and 60.8%, 63.4%, respectively (P<0.01). Median OS was not reached in both groups. The 1- and 2-year OS rates in TACE plus Cidan and TACE groups were 98.4%, 98.4%, and 89.5%, 87.9%, respectively (P<0.05). The most common grade 3-4 AEs included fatigue, abdominal pain, lumbar pain, and nausea. One serious AE was reported in 1 patient in the TACE plus Cidan group, the death was due to retroperitoneal mass hemorrhage and hemorrhagic shock, and was not related to study drug. CONCLUSIONS Cidan Capsule in combination with TACE can reduce the incidence of early recurrence in HCC patients at high-risk of recurrence after radical hepatectomy and may be an appropriate option in postoperative anti-recurrence treatment. (Registration No. NCT02253511).

Objective: To compare the short-term and long-term outcomes between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted radical right hemicolectomy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the right colon. Methods: Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database identified 288 right colon cancer patients who underwent either robotic-assisted (n=57) or laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy (n=231) between October 2014 and October 2020 at Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. There were 161 males and 127 females, aging (60.3±12.8) years (range: 17 to 86 years). After propensity score matching as 1∶4 between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy, there were 56 cases in robotic group and 176 cases in laparoscipic group. Perioperative outcomes and overall survival were compared between the two groups using t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, χ² test, Fisher exact test, Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test, respectively. Results: The total operative time was similar between the robotic and laparoscopic group ((206.9±60.7) minutes vs. (219.9±56.3) minutes, t=-1.477, P=0.141). Intraoperative bleeding was less in the robotic group (50 (20) ml vs. 50 (50) ml, Z=-4.591, P<0.01), while the number of lymph nodes retrieved was significantly higher (36.0±10.0 vs. 29.0±10.1, t=4.491, P<0.01). Patients in robotic group experienced significantly shorter hospital stay, shorter time to first flatus, and defecation (t: -2.888, -2.946, -2.328, all P<0.05). Moreover, the overall peri-operative complication rate was similar between robotic and laparoscopic group (17.9% vs. 22.7%, χ²=0.596,P=0.465). The 3-year overall survival were 92.9% and 87.9% respectively and the 3-year disease-free survival rates were 83.1% and 82.6% with no statistical significance between the robotic and laparoscopic group (P>0.05). Conclusions: Compared to laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy, robot-assisted right hemicolectomy could improve some short-term clinical outcomes. The two procedures are both achieving comparable survival.
Colectomy ; Colonic Neoplasms/surgery* ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Prognosis ; Propensity Score ; Retrospective Studies ; Robotic Surgical Procedures ; Treatment Outcome

The effect of relaxation time in hyperbolic heat transfer model on the temperature field of microwave ablation of atrial fibrillation was investigated. And the results were compared with those calculated by Pennes model. A three-dimensional model of microwave ablation of atrial fibrillation was constructed. The relaxation time (
Atrial Fibrillation/surgery* ; Catheter Ablation ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Microwaves ; Radiofrequency Ablation ; Temperature

The temperature dependence of relative permittivity and conductivity of
Animals ; Electric Conductivity ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Liver ; Lung ; Swine ; Temperature

BACKGROUND: Shenyankangfu Tablet (SYKFT) is a Chinese patent medicine that has been used widely to decrease proteinuria and the progression of chronic kidney disease. OBJECTIVE: This trial compared the efficacy and safety of SYKFT, for the control of proteinuria in primary glomerulonephritis patients, against the standard drug, losartan potassium. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Primary glomerulonephritis patients, aged 18-70 years, with blood pressure ≤ 140/90 mmHg, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 45 mL/min per 1.73 m MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was change in the 24-hour proteinuria level, after 48 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 735 participants were enrolled. The percent decline of urine protein quantification in the SYKFT group after 48 weeks was 8.78% ± 2.56% (P = 0.006) more than that in the losartan 50 mg group, which was 0.51% ± 2.54% (P = 1.000) less than that in the losartan 100 mg group. Compared with the losartan potassium 50 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 50 mg group had a 13.39% ± 2.49% (P < 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein level. Compared with the losartan potassium 100 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 100 mg group had a 9.77% ± 2.52% (P = 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein. With a superiority threshold of 15%, neither was statistically significant. eGFR, serum creatinine and serum albumin from the baseline did not change statistically significant. The average change in TCM syndrome score between the patients who took SYKFT (-3.00 [-6.00, -2.00]) and who did not take SYKFT (-2.00 [-5.00, 0]) was statistically significant (P = 0.003). No obvious adverse reactions were observed in any group. CONCLUSION: SYKFT decreased the proteinuria and improved the TCM syndrome scores of primary glomerulonephritis patients, with no change in the rate of decrease in the eGFR. SYKFT plus losartan potassium therapy decreased proteinuria more than losartan potassium therapy alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02063100 on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Objective　Pulmonary function testing is a commonly used indicator for clinical evaluation of the degree of pulmonary fibrosis in patients. This paper aims to investigate the dynamic changes of lung function in mice with pulmonary fibrosis and to establish a range of reference values for lung function parameters in normal Kunming mice.　Methods　Twenty-eight SPF Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control group (n=14) and model group (n=14). After anesthesia with 10% chloral hydrate, the normal control group only underwent tracheal puncture. The model group received intratracheal puncture and injection of bleomycin (BLM) (5 mg/kg body weight), and the lung function indicators of all mice were detected in the same order on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th weekends after modeling: Ti, Te, PIF, PEF, TV, EV, RT, MV, f, Penh and EF50.　Results　After intratracheal BLM injection, mice in the model group showed decreased hair softness and smoothness, hair loss and decreased activity after the 2nd week. Compared with the control group, Ti, Te and RT values in the model group significantly increased at week 4 (P<0.05), while the values of PEF, RT, MV, f and EF50 decreased significantly at the same week (P<0.05). Compared with the model group at week 1, the differences in Ti, Te, RT and f values at week 2, 3 and 4 were statistically significant (P<0.05); the differences in MV and EF50 values at week 3 and 4 were statistically significant (P<0.05); while the PIF values only showed differences at week 4 (P<0.001). Compared with the Penh values in the control group at week 2, 3 and 4 (0.553±0.189, 0.662±0.164, 0.712±0.189), the differences of the model group (0.820±0.205, 0.936±0.188, 1.053±0.236) showed statistical significance (P<0.001). Compared with the model group at week 1, the differences of Penh values in the model group only showed statistical significance at week 3 and 4 (P<0.05). Through four-week lung function test, various parameters were obtained, among which the normal range of the main index Penh value was 0.27-0.88.　Conclusion　The lung function detected by the non-invasive whole body plethysmography system was stable and reliable with good effects; the lung function in mice with the BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis continued to decrease within four weeks. Penh, which reflects airway resistance, can be used for overall screening of the lung function among the test mice after two weeks of modeling.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of air pollution on respiratory health in school-aged children in the main urban area of Chongqing, China.

METHODSThe main urban area of Chongqing was divided into polluted area and clean area according to the air pollution data shown on the Environmental Protection Agency Website of Chongqing between 2010 and 2015. A cluster sampling method was used to select 695 third- or fourth-grade children from 2 primary schools in the clean or polluted area as study subjects, with 313 children from the clean area and 382 children from the polluted area. Pulmonary function was examined for all children and a standard American epidemiological questionnaire (ATS-DLD-78-C) was used to investigate the prevalence of respiratory diseases and symptoms.

RESULTSCompared with the clean area, the polluted area had significantly higher concentrations of inhalable particles (PM), fine particulate matter (PM), and nitric oxide (NO) (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed after adjustment for confounding factors, and the results showed that compared with those in the clean area, the children in the polluted area had significantly higher risks of cough (OR=1.644), cough during cold (OR=1.596), expectoration during cold (OR=2.196), persistent expectoration (OR=1.802), and wheezing (OR=2.415). The boys and girls in the clean area had significantly higher forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second than those in the polluted area (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAir pollution in the main urban area of Chongqing is associated with the increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms in school-aged children and has certain effect on children's pulmonary function.

Air Pollution ; adverse effects ; Child ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; etiology ; Vital Capacity

Objective:To investigate the clinical features,diagnosis and surgical treatment of primary malignant tumors of the trachea and main bronchus.Methods:Clinical data of 35 cases with primary malignant tumors of the trachea and main bronchus in Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University between January 2005 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively.Objective:The clinical symptoms were cough,sputum,bloody sputum,hemoptysis,shortness of breath,chest tightness,thoracalgia,and fever.There were 13 cases(37.1％)proved to be misdiagnosed in the early stage.All patients underwent surgical treatment without complications,and 3 patients were received postoperative radiotherapy.Among the 31 cases received postoperative follow-up,26 cases survived,5 cases died.The average disease-free interval was(34±16.2)months(16 to 49 months)and the median survival time was 50 months(16-138 months).Conclusions:Primary malignant tumors of the trachea and main bronchus without special clinical manifestations are easy to be misdiagnosed so that early bronchoscopy and chest CT examination are necessary.Active surgery treatment for primary malignant tumors of the trachea and main bronchus can achieve generate good prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of exposure to vehicle exhaust in pregnant mice on the reproductive function and DNA methylation in male offspring mice.

METHODSTwenty pregnant mice were randomized into control group and vehicle exhaust exposure group (n=10) and exposed to routine laboratory condition and to vehicle exhaust for 10 consecutive days (8 h per day) in a tunnel with a heavy traffic, where the concentrations of TSP, PM10, PM2.5, SO2 and NOX and the decibel of noise were measured. The offspring mice were raised till reaching maturity, and the epididymides of the male mice were collected to test the weight coefficients, DNA methylation level, and mRNA levels of Aldh7a1 and Rpe.

RESULTSThe body weight and the weight coefficients of the epididymides and testes differed significantly between the exposure group and the control group (P>0.05). The concentrations of TSP, PM2.5, PM10 and NOx and the decibel of noise were significantly higher in the traffic environment and the control environment (P<0.05). Reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS) and Gene ontology (GO) showed that 58 genes had significantly different methylation levels between the two groups, mostly relating to the process of spermatogenesis (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, Aldh7a1 and Rpe mRNA expressions in the testes were down-regulated significantly in the exposure group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONExposure of pregnant mice to vehicle exhaust causes damages of the reproductive function in the male offspring mice.