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Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of albumin-bound paclitaxel (Nab-P) and conventional paclitaxel combined with cisplatin and concurrent radiotherapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:Forty-nine patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma admitted to the First People's Hospital of Suqian from November 2016 to May 2020 were included. Of the 49 patients, 23 cases were treated with Nab-P combined with cisplatin and concurrent radiotherapy (NP group), 26 cases were treated with conventional paclitaxel combined with cisplatin and concurrent radiotherapy (TP group). All patients received 2 cycles of chemotherapy. The curative efficacy was evaluated one month after the end of radiotherapy, and the curative effect and adverse reactions of the two treatment regimens were compared.Results:The objective remission rate in NP group was 78.3% (18/23), and the disease control rate was 100.0% (23/23). The objective response rate in TP group was 61.5% (16/26), and the disease control rate was 92.3% (24/26). The objective response rate and disease control rate in NP group were higher than those in TP group, but the differences were not statistically significant (both P > 0.05). The common adverse reactions were mainly hair loss, loss of appetite, bone marrow suppression, radiation esophagitis, radiation pneumonia, malaise and myalgia. The incidence rate of grade 3-4 acute bone marrow suppression in NP group (8.7%, 2/23) was lower than that in TP group (38.5%, 10/26), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.35, P = 0.037). The incidence rate of myalgia in NP group (26.1%, 6/23) was lower than that in TP group (61.5%, 16/26), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.85, P = 0.028). Conclusions:Nab-P combined with cisplatin and concurrent radiotherapy has good efficacy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and the incidence rate of adverse reactions is lower than that of conventional paclitaxel combined with cisplatin and concurrent radiotherapy, so that the regimen is safe.
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Objective:To observe the effect of breastfeeding on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From June 2017 to December 2019, 1256 eyes of 628 premature infants who were born in Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital and were screened for ROP were included in the study. Among them, there were in 325 males (650 eyes) and 303 females (606 eyes). According to the feeding situation, premature infants were divided into breastfeeding (research) group and formula feeding (control) group, with 390 cases of 780 eyes and 238 cases of 476 eyes, respectively. The changes in the retina of the fundus of the two groups of premature infants during the observation period were compared. The qualitative data comparison between groups was performed by the χ2 test; the quantitative data comparison was performed by the two independent sample t test. Results:The sex ratio of premature infants in the study group and control group ( χ2=0.217), birth weight ( t=0.728), gestational age at birth ( t=0.351), Apgar score at birth ( t=0.816), oxygen inhalation time ( t=0.427), were compared with the length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit ( t=1.580), the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Among the 390 cases in the study group, 108 cases (27.7%, 108/390) and 282 cases (72.3%, 282/390) were with or without ROP, respectively; in the 238 cases in the control group, 86 (36.1%, 86/238) were with ROP, 152 (63.9%, 152/238) cases were without ROP. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of ROP between the two groups ( χ2=4.934, P=0.026). Among the 108 cases of ROP in the study group, 50 (12.8%, 50/108), 35 (9.0%, 35/108), 23 (5.9%, 23/108) cases were in stage 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Among the 86 ROP cases in the control group, stages 1, 2 and 3 were 25 (10.5%, 25/86), 40 (16.8%, 40/86), and 21 (8.8%, 21/86), respectively. In the comparison of ROP staging between the two groups, the difference in stage 1 was not statistically significant ( χ2=0.754, P>0.05), and the difference in stage 2 and above was statistically significant ( χ2=11.400, P<0.05). Conclusion:Breastfeeding may reduce the incidence and severity of ROP.
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Objective:To compare the safety and short-term efficacy of percutaneous thermal ablation for liver cancer at hepatic dome guided by ultrasound with assisted technologies or computed tomography.Methods:Patients who underwent thermal ablation of liver cancer at hepatic dome from January 2016 to October 2019 in the Xixi Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University were studied. Using the different guidance methods, the patients were divided into the ultrasound guidance combined with assisted technologies group (the ultrasound guided group) and the CT guided group. Assisted technologies included contrast-enhanced ultrasound, fusion imaging and artificial ascites. The complications during and within one week of ablation were recorded to compare the safety between the two guidance methods. One month after ablation, contrast-enhanced CT or contrast-enhanced MRI was performed to evaluate the short-term efficacy.Results:Of 52 patients who were included in the study, 39 had no previous treatment while 13 had recurrent liver cancer (7 underwent previous surgical resection and 6 thermal ablation). There were 41 males and 11 females, age ranged from 38.0 to 76.0 (57.3±10.0) years. The tumor size was 12.0 to 46.0 (30.7±8.8) mm. Of the 34 patients in the ultrasound guided group, the age ranged from 38.0 to 73.0 (56.6±10.2) years, and the tumor size ranged from 17.0 to 46.0 (30.6±8.7) mm. Of the 18 patients in the CT guided group, the age ranged from 39.0 to 76.0 (58.1±9.8) years, and the tumor size ranged from 12.0 to 45.0 (30.9±9.2) mm. There were no significant differences in age and tumor size between the two groups ( P>0.05). During and within one week of ablation, 3 patients developed hydrothorax in the ultrasound guided group and 8 patients developed hydrothorax, and 7 patients pneumothorax in the CT guided group. The difference between the two groups was significant ( P<0.05). All complications were successfully treated with conservative treatment. One month after ablation, the complete ablation rate was 91.2% (31/34) in the ultrasound guided group and 88.9% (16/18) in the CT guided group. There was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The two methods of guidance resulted in similar short-term efficacy after thermal ablation for liver cancer at hepatic dome. Compared with computed tomography guidance, ultrasound guidance with assisted technologies significantly reduced the incidence of thoracic complication rates.
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Objective@#To investigate the prognostic value of arterial blood lactate for patients with cardiogenic shock receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO).@*Methods@#A retrospective analysis was conducted. Twenty-three patients diagnosed with cardiogenic shock receiving veno-arterial(V-A) ECMO admitted to department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit(EICU) of Beijing Luhe Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled.@*Results@#There were 10 cases in the survival group and 13 cases in the death group. Compared with survival group, APACHE-Ⅱ score was higher, CRRT applied higher percentage, PH and oxygenation index was worse in the death group(P<0.05). The lactate of the death group was significantly higher than that of the survival group at initial time at EICU, 1 h before ECMO and 0h before ECMO(P<0.05). During the ECMO operation, lactate levels in the death group at 8 h and 12 h were significantly higher than those in the survival group(P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in lactate clearance rate between the two groups before and after ECMO operation in each observation period(P>0.05). On the 2nd day of ECMO operation, CRRT usage time was shorter and daily liquid balance was more negative in the survival group(P<0.05). APACHE-Ⅱscore, initial lactate at EICU, lactate at ECMO 8 h and lactate at ECMO 12 h had predictive value for 30-day death of patients. The area under ROC curve(AUC) of initial lactate at EICU was 0.845, and 95% confidence interval(95%CI)=0.653-1.000. The AUC of ECMO 8 h lactate was 0.836, 95%CI: 0.634-1.000. The AUC of ECMO 12 h lactate was 0.873, 95%CI: 0.697-1.000. The AUC of APACHE-Ⅱscore was 0.891, 95%CI: 0.717-1.000. The sensitivity and specificity of prognosis prediction were 72.7% and 100% when lactate was more than 7.3 mmol/L at the time of admission into EICU as the optimal critical value.@*Conclusion@#Arterial blood lactate could be used as an important marker for evaluating the prognosis of cardiogenic shock patients on ECMO. The value of lactate clearance rate may be affected by combined CRRT.
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Objective To investigate the prognostic value of arterial blood lactate for patients with cardiogenic shock re-ceiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation( ECMO) . Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted. Twenty-three pa-tients diagnosed with cardiogenic shock receiving veno-arterial( V-A) ECMO admitted to department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit( EICU) of Beijing Luhe Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled. Results There were 10 cases in the survival group and 13 cases in the death group. Compared with survival group, APACHE-Ⅱ score was higher, CRRT applied higher percentage, PH and oxygenation index was worse in the death group (P<0. 05). The lactate of the death group was significantly higher than that of the survival group at initial time at EICU, 1 h before ECMO and 0h before ECMO(P<0. 05). During the ECMO operation, lactate levels in the death group at 8 h and 12 h were significantly higher than those in the survival group(P<0. 05). There was no statistically significant difference in lactate clearance rate between the two groups before and after ECMO operation in each observation period(P>0. 05). On the 2nd day of ECMO operation, CRRT usage time was shorter and daily liquid balance was more negative in the survival group(P<0. 05). APACHE-Ⅱscore, initial lactate at EICU, lactate at ECMO 8 h and lactate at ECMO 12 h had predictive value for 30-day death of patients. The area under ROC curve( AUC) of initial lactate at EICU was 0. 845, and 95％ confidence interval (95％CI) =0. 653-1. 000. The AUC of ECMO 8 h lactate was 0. 836, 95％CI:0. 634-1. 000. The AUC of ECMO 12 h lactate was 0. 873, 95％CI:0. 697-1. 000. The AUC of APACHE-Ⅱscore was 0. 891, 95％CI:0. 717-1. 000. The sensi-tivity and specificity of prognosis prediction were 72. 7％ and 100％ when lactate was more than 7. 3 mmol/L at the time of ad-mission into EICU as the optimal critical value. Conclusion Arterial blood lactate could be used as an important marker for e-valuating the prognosis of cardiogenic shock patients on ECMO. The value of lactate clearance rate may be affected by combined CRRT.
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Objective To evaluate the role of two-dimensional ultrasound combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the classification of liver nodules in cirrhotic patients.Methods Consecutively cirrhotic patients with intrahepatic nodules at Xixi Hospital of Hangzhou were included from November 2015 to December 2016.All (142 nodules in 109 patiens) presented as non-cancerous focal lesions on conventional magnetic resonance imaging and CT examination and had available information of liver biopsy.Each lesion was percutaneous biopsied under the guidance of two-dimensional ultrasound.Ultrasonographic parameters evaluated were as following:(1) sizes of nodules under US;(2) ultrasonographic characteristics of the nodular;(3) CEUS enhancement features of the nodules.Four types of hepatic nodule suggesting different histology were defined according to the ultrasonographicparameters.x2 test was used to compare the difference of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence among liver nodules with varying sizes and nodules with different enhancement features under CEUS.As for the statistical differences of HCC and high-grade dysplastic nodule (HGDN) incidence between type Ⅲ & Ⅳ nodules and type Ⅰ & Ⅱ nodules,x2 test was also used for analysis.Results A total of 142 eligible nodules were detected in 109 patients with cirrhosis,including 16 HCCs,2 intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinomas (ICC),41 HGDNs,40 low-grade dysplastic nodules (LGDN) and 43 regenerative nodules (RN).In terms of diameter,all (6/6) the nodules larger than 2.0 cm,20.0％ (8/40) of middle size nodules (1.5-2.0 cm),were HCCs.The remained 2 lesions of HCC came from two subgroups with even small size nodules [1.0-1.4 cm (n=93),and ＜ 1.0 cm (n=3),in diameter],respectively.Two lesions of ICC were attributed to nodules with a 1.0-1.4 cm diameter.About 28 nodules with a diameter of 1.5-2.0 cm,13 nodules with a diameter of 1.0-1.4 cm were HGDN.HCC incidences between these 4 groups were different significantly (x2=61.425,P ＜ 0.001).Asfor the CEUS,14 nodules exhibited a rapid enhancement feature in arterial phase,12 of which were HCC.In56 nodules with a slow enhancement feature,4 nodules were HCC.HCC incidences between these 3 groups were different significantly (x2=75.752,P ＜ 0.001).Under the combined ultrasonography,HCC incidences of type Ⅲ and type Ⅳ nodules were significantly higher than that of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ lesions [21.9％ (16/73)vs 0 (0/65),x2=15.222,P ＜ 0.001],similar result was observed in the comparison of HGDN incidences between type Ⅲ & Ⅳ and type Ⅰ & Ⅱ nodules[53.4％ (39/73) vs 3.1％ (2/65),x2=38.842,P ＜ 0.001].Conclusion The classification presented by this study,combining the three ultrasonographic parameters,which is nodule size,nodular echo characteristics and enhancement features of the nodules under CEUS,could be helpful for the diagnosis of HCC in cirrhotic patients with ill-defined nodule on routine image examination.
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Objective:To discuss the effect of pharmacist intervention on the use of antimicrobial agents in the clinical pathway of community-acquired pneumonia ( CAP) in our hospital to standardize the rational medication and promote the rational use of antimicro-bial agents. Methods:Totally 100 bacterial CAP patients in 2013 ( before the intervention) and 2014 ( after the intervention) in the pneumology department were studied. The antibacterial drug cost, total hospitalization cost, use intensity of antimicrobial drugs, hospi-talization time, therapeutic effects and so on in the two groups were observed during the treatment. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in antibacterial drug cost, total hospitalization cost, use intensity of antimicrobial drugs, hospitaliza-tion time and so on, whereas there was no significant difference in the curative effect. Conclusion:After the pharmacist intervention, the application of antibiotics is more rational, the antibiotics use density and per capita cost are reduced, the hospitalization day is shortened and the value of pharmacists is also improved.
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Objective To observe the effect and mechanism of extracts of Liangxue Tongyu Recipe(LTR) on acute cerebral hemorrhage rats. Methods Twelve SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, LTR water-extract group and LTR alcohol-extract group. Rats of sham operation group were injected with 2μL of normal saline into the left caudate nucleus, and rats of the other groups were injected with 2μL (0.25 U/ μL) of type Ⅶ collagenase into the left caudate nucleus to induce the model of acute cerebral hemorrhage. And then the rats of LTR groups were given intra-gastric gavage of LTR water-extract or LTR alcohol-extract. At the end of the experiment, we observed the macroscopic features of rat brain, pathological changes in rat brain under microscope after HE staining, awake time, rectal temperature, neurobehavioral scores and serum-specific enolase (NSE) level. Results Rats except for the sham operation group had various degrees of right hemiplegia symptoms, and the symptoms became severest on the third day of experiment. LTR alcohol-extract group and water-extract group had an effect on improving neurobehavioral scores, shortening awake time, and decreasing rectal temperature and serum NSE level of model rats. Conclusion LTR alcohol-extract and water-extract can relieve acute cerebral hemorrhage induced by type Ⅶcollagenase .
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Objective To establish hyperoxia retinopathy in premature rat model with SpragueDawley (SD),observe the pathological changes of angiogenesis and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),and compare the effect of bevacizumab periocular injection and intravitreal injection of retinopathy of premature rats.Methods Ninety preterm rat retinopathy models were randomly divided into 3 groups:high oxygen group,retrobalbar injection group,and vitreous cavity group (n =30 per group);36 healthy rats were chosen as the normal control group.Each group were randomly selected 10 rats 'right eyes to make retinal flat mount to observe the right eye retina vascular morphology;10 resections of right eyes were embedded in paraffin,and stained with hematoxylin eosin (HE);the number of right eye of retinal neovascularization was observed;the right eye RNA was extracted,and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of VEGF.Results The normal group showed retinal vessels were around a reflection of distribution,good branch,shape rules,and clear structure.Intravitreous neovascularization occurred in the high oxygen group and peribulbar injection group.Retinal vascular endothelial cells in the high oxygen group were increased significantly compared to the normal group (P ＜ 0.05).The visible clusters of red blood cells in the periocular injection group and vitreous group were decreased compared to the high oxygen group (P ＜ 0.05),but no significant difference between the periocular injection group and vitreous group (P ＞ 0.05).The expressions of VEGF mRNA and HE staining had a consistent trend.Conclusions Bevacizumab inhibited the expression of VEGF that was increased in premature rats in hyperoxia retinopathy.The effects of bevacizumab periocular injection and intravitreal injection were similar,but the former was more secure than the latter.
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Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) can promote the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer through various mechanisms.The expressions of MMP-9 in the patients with breast cancer are correlated with the prognosis.The higher expression of MMP-9 indicates poorer prognosis.It is suggested that the level change of MMP-9 pre and post treatment can be used as a reference standard for judging the prognosis and clinical effect.
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Objective To evaluate the value of international normalized ratio (INR) in predicting and diagnosing hemorrhagic events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF)receiving wafarin, to determine the optimal cut-off value of INR for predicting hemorrhagic events by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Methods The data of 231 patients with NVAF receiving wafarin were retrospectively analyzed, including 93 patients with hemorrhagic events and 138cases without hemorrhagic events as control group. The PT and INR were detected by Sysmex CA-500 with Medcalc software plotting ROC curve. Results The area under the ROC curve for INR was 0. 822 (95%CI: 0. 717-0. 900), the analysis of ROC curve revealed the optimal cut-off value of INR was 2.71, which presented a sensitivity of 77.40% and a specificity of 78.30%. Conclusions Through evaluation by ROC curve, the new cut-off value provides substantial improvement in sensitivity, with an acceptable loss of specificity. The value on predicting hemorrhagic events is better, the discriminative power of INR between hemorrhagic events and nonhemorrhagic events is satisfactory. The cut-off value of INR can guide the clinical physicians to predict the risks of hemorrhagic and promote proper use of clinical medications.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To investigate the diagnostic value of chest CT scan combined with telomerase activity and p16 gene methylation from exfoliated cells of sputum in 55 cases of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN; ≤30 mm)suspected early peripheral lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The sputum specimens from 34 cases of cancer nodules and 21 cases of benign lesion were detected for telomerase activity by TRAP-PCR-ELISA and p16 gene methylation by PCR-based methylation analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The qualitative diagnostic accuracy of CT scan was 61.8%(34/55) for SPN provided by pathology. Cytology analysis of sputum was positive in 13 cases (38.2%). Telomerase activity was positive in 29 cases: sensitivity was 79.4%, specificity was 90.5%, accuracy was 83.6%; p16 gene methylation was found in 11 cases: sensitivity was 32.4%, specificity was 100.0%, and accuracy was 58.2%. The sensitivity was increased to 86.1% by combination of telomerase activity and p16 gene methylation. Compared with nodules without malignant CT signs, expression of telomerase activity and p16 methylation of SPN with malignant CT signs (lobulation or spiculate protuberance or spicule sign) had a significant difference (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results suggest that chest CT scan combined with telomerase activity and p16 gene methylation detection in sputum for patients with peripheral lung cancer may enhance the diagnostic value of radiology and conventional cytology.</p>
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To explore the sensitivity and clinical significance of detection of CK19 mRNA and CEA mRNA expression for the diagnosis of micrometastases in the peripheral blood of patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect CK19 mRNA and CEA mRNA in the peripheral blood of 35 patients with NSCLC. Twenty patients with pulmonary benign lesions and 20 normal healthy volunteers were served as controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rates of CK19 mRNA and CEA mRNA for NSCLC patients were 40% (14/35) and 57% (20/35) respectively, 14 cases (40%) were positive for both mRNA, and 15 cases (43%) were both negative for both mRNA. No blood samples from patients with pulmonary benign lesions was positive for CEA mRNA, but 2 samples (10%) were positive for CK19 mRNA. Of these 20 samples from normal volunteers, none was positive for both CK19 mRNA and CEA mRNA. The distant metastasis rate of patients with positive CK-19 mRNA , positive CEA mRNA and both negative in the peripheral blood were 50%, 56% and 27% respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both CK-19 mRNA and CEA mRNA are good markers to detect micrometastasis in the peripheral blood of patients with NSCLC. Detection of CK19 and CEA mRNA expression might be helpful to predict the prognosis of patients with lung cancer.</p>
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To investigate the methylation and deletion of p16 gene and its diagnostic value in non-small cell lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 50 lung cancer tissues and 54 normal lung tissues were examined for p16 gene methylation in exon 1 and deletion in exon 2 by PCR based methylation analysis and duplex PCR respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Out of 50 lung cancer tissues, 16 were positive for the p16 gene exon 1 methylation (32.0%), and 14 for the p16 gene exon 2 deletion (28.0%). However, in 54 cases of normal lung tissues, only 2 showed the p16 gene exon 1 methylation(3.7%), and none showed the p16 gene exon 2 deletion. There were significant differences in methylation rate (Fisher's exact= 0.000 ) and deletion rate (Fisher's exact= 0.000) between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The methylation and deletion may be important mechanisms for p16 gene inactivation in non-small cell lung cancer. The detection of p16 gene status may contribute to the diagnosis of lung cancer.</p>
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To detect the micrometastases status in peripheral blood and regional lymph nodes of lung cancer patients by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CK19 mRNA expression in peripheral blood and regional lymph nodes was detected in 78 patients with lung cancer, and 30 patients with pulmonary benign lesions and 10 healthy volunteers as controls by RT-PCR. Meanwhile, all lymph nodes were also examined by traditional pathological method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive rate of CK19 mRNA expression was 38.5% in peripheral blood of lung cancer patients, and 6.7% in patients with pulmonary benign lesions (6.7%) (Chi-square=10.505,P=0.001). No positive CK19 mRNA expression was found in peripheral blood of 10 healthy volunteers. The positive rates of CK19 mRNA of lymph nodes were 36.9% and 0 in lung cancer patients and pulmonary benign disease patients respectively (Fisher's exact=0.014). In lung cancer group, the metastatic rate of lymph nodes was 17.9% by traditional pathological examination, which was much lower than that by RT-PCR (Chi-square=7.664, P=0.006).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>RT-PCR amplification of CK19 mRNA is an sensitive method to detect early haematogenous and regional lymph nodes dissemination of cancer cells for patients with lung cancer. This method may lead to an earlier diagnosis and treatment of patients with subclinical metastasis in circulation and regional lymph nodes.</p>
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Objective To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and clinical significance of CK19 mRNA, CEA mRNA and LUNX mRNA for detecting micrometastasis by sampling the peripheral blood and regional lymph nodes of lung cancer patients. Methods Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect LUNX mRNA,CK19 mRNA, CEA mRNA for micrometastasis by sampling the peripheral blood of 48 lung cancer patients and 44 regional lymph nodes of such patients treated by curative resection. Peripheral blood of 30 patients with pulmonary benign lesions and 10 normal healthy volunteers and lymph nodes of 6 patients with benign pulmonary diseases served as control. Results (1) LUNX mRNA, CK19 mRNA, CEA mRNA were expressed in all(35/35) lung cancer tissues. (2) In the peripheral blood from 48 lung cancer patients, 30(62.5%) were positive for LUNX mRNA, 24 (50.0% ) positive for CK19 mRNA and 32(66.7%) positive for CEA mRNA. The positive detection rates of micrometastasis in 44 lymph nodes from lung cancer patients were 36.4% (16 out of 44) for LUNX mRNA, 27.3%(12 out of 44) for CK19 mRNA and 40.9%(18 out of 44) for CEA mRNA. (3) In the 30 blood samples from patients with pulmonary benign diseases, 2 (6.7%) expressed CK19 mRNA, but none expressed LUNX mRNA or CEA mRNA. All the 3 molecular markers were negative in the 10 blood samples from healthy volunteers. In 11 lymph nodes from patients with pulmonary benign lesions, none was positive for any of the three markers.(4)In 44 regional lymph nodes from lung cancer patients,6(13.6%) were positive for metastasis by histopathological examination, with a positive rate significantly lower than that of the RT-PCR ( P