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ObjectiveTo observe that effect of Ersi decoction on rats with rheumatoid arthritis （RA） induced by using the complete Freund's adjuvant emulsion containing bovine type Ⅱ collagenand and elucidate underlying menchanisms involving to inhibit inflammation and joint synovial angiogenesis. MethodThe rat model of RA was established by immune induction with complete Freund's adjuvant emulsion containing bovine type Ⅱ collagen. All male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， RA model group， methotrexate group（1.0 mg·kg-1）， and low-， medium- and high-dose group（30，15，7.0 g·kg-1·d-1）of Ersi decoction， with 8 rats in each group. Except the blank group， rats in the methotrexate group and Ersi decoction groups were given corresponding doses of methotrexate and Ersi decoction after establishment of RA induced by strengthen immunity，respectively，and those in the model group and blank group received normal saline of equivalent volume，once a day for 28 days. After the administration， the degree of joint swelling of rats in each group was analyzed by joint swelling volume and index. The small animal ultrasound imaging system was used to detect the score and area of synovial hyperplasia of knee joint in right lower limb of rats and hematoxylin-eosin（HE）staining to observe the histomorphological changes in joint synovium of rats. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α） and interleukin-1β（IL-1β） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. Immunohistochemistry was employed to analyze the expression of CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2（VEGFR2） in in joint synovium. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group demonstrated significant increase in joint swelling volume and index， inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-1β in serum， the score and area of synovial hyperplasia of knee joint in right lower limb， obvious pathological changes in the synovium and the expression of CD31 and VEGFR2 in joint synovium. Medium and high-dose Ersi decoction significantly alleviated the pathological changes of synovium tissue， attenuated joint swelling volume and index and decreased the expression of CD31 and VEGFR2 in joint synovium as compared with the model group. Moreover， high-dose Ersi decoction showed significantly lower levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum， and the score and area of synovial hyperplasia of knee joint in right lower limb. But medium-dose Ersi decoction only showed lower levels of TNF-α and area of synovial hyperplasia of knee joint. ConclusionErsi decoction could reduce synovial inflammation and hyperplasia through inhibiting synovial angiogenesis in rats with RA induced by bovine type Ⅱ collagen for achieving the effect of reducing RA joint damage， which provides an important reference for anti-RA of Ersi decoction in clinical application.
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Objective:To explore national standard of occupational skills for assistive technology consultants in China based on the study of relevant international standards. Methods:After analyzing the international and some other national job content, work requirements, professional education and vocational training, and vocational standards of assistive technology consultants, the national occupational skills standard for assistive technology consultants in China was established referring to the compiling rules of national occupational skills standard. Results:According to the compiling rules of national occupational skills standard, the national occupational skills standard for assistive technology consultants in China included career situation, basic requirements, job requirements, and weight table, etc. Conclusion:The vocational development, structural framework and content of professional capacity for assistive technology consultants are studied. The draft of national occupational skills standard for rehabilitation assistive technology consultants has been compiled.
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OBJECTIVE@#To study the effect and mechanism of Huayu Wan (, HYW) in combination of chemotherapy of tumor treatment.@*METHODS@#HYW serum was added in Lewis cells to assess its impact on fluorescent doxorubicin delivery in vitro. Then, Lewis tumor cells was implanted in C57BL/6 mice via xenograft transplantation. Tumor growth was measured and signal intensity corresponding to blood flow was assessed by laser doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI). Finally, the effect of HYW on the effificacy of doxorubicin was studied.@*RESULTS@#HYW can improve the transfer of fluorescent doxorubicin into cells. The blood flow signal in the tumor tissues of the HYW group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). Furthermore, HYW improved drug delivery of doxorubicin to tumor tissues, and this activity was associated with HYW-induced microvascular proliferation (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#HYW can promote microangiogenesis and increase blood supply in tumor tissues, which in turn may increase the risk of metastasis. At the same time, HYW increases drug delivery and improves the effificacy of chemotherapy drugs through vascular proliferation. Therefore, rational judgment must be exercised when considering applying HYW to an antitumor regimen.
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BACKGROUND: Water stress is one of the serious abiotic stresses that negatively influences the growth, development and production of sugarcane in arid and semi-arid regions. However, silicon (Si) has been applied as an alleviation strategy subjected to environmental stresses. METHODS: In this experiment, Si was applied as soil irrigation in sugarcane plants to understand the mitigation effect of Si against harmful impact of water stress on photosynthetic leaf gas exchange. RESULTS: In the present study we primarily revealed the consequences of low soil moisture content, which affect overall plant performance of sugarcane significantly. Silicon application reduced the adverse effects of water stress by improving the net photosynthetic assimilation rate (Anet) 1.35-18.75%, stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) 3.26-21.57% and rate of transpiration (E) 1.16-17.83%. The mathematical models developed from the proposed hypothesis explained the functional relationships between photosynthetic responses of Si application and water stress mitigation. CONCLUSIONS: Silicon application showed high ameliorative effects on photosynthetic responses of sugarcane to water stress and could be used for mitigating environmental stresses in other crops, too, in future.
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Silicon , Saccharum , Photosynthesis , Water , Plant Leaves , DehydrationABSTRACT
Objective:To establish an Internet Plus intelligent assessment and assistive technology service system. Methods:Based on International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, we used new-generation information technology to establish a system for assessment and assistive technology service, and analyze the path of achieving Internet Plus and intelligence from the elements of the National Health Coverage Health Service System. Results:The architecture of assessment and assistive technology service system was proposed. Conclusion:A new kind architecture of assessment and assistive technology service system was established by using new-generation information technology.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effectiveness of Yishen Jiangu Granules (, YSJGG) on aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A single-arm, open-label study was conducted in 34 postmenopausal women with breast cancer who experienced AIMSS. Patients were treated with YSJGG for 12 weeks (12.4 g orally twice daily). The primary outcome was a change in the mean worst pain score of Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) over 12 weeks, and the second outcomes included changes in pain severity and pain-related interference of BPI-SF and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Modified Score for the Assessment of Chronic Rheumatoid Affections of the Hands (M-SACRAH), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), bone mineral density (BMD) and blood indices such as calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 37 women recruited, 30 initiated the therapy and 24 were evaluable at 12 weeks. The primary outcome (BPI-SF worst pain scores) achieved a 2.17-point reduction compared with baseline (5.75±1.87 vs 3.58±2.15, P<0.01). There were reductions in pain severity (decreased 1.65, P<0.01) and pain-related interference (decreased 2.55, P<0.01). The changes in WOMAC and M-SACRAH scores were similar to BPI-SF (P<0.05). In the FACT-B, only physical well-being and functional well-being were improved compared with baseline (P<0.05). No clinical differences were found in BMD, Ca, P and ALP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YSJGG is an effective and well-tolerated agent to reduce AIMSS.</p>
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Objective To develop a buckle tourniquet to facilitate further casualty treatment.Methods The requirements oftheater/field first aid of the PLA were analyzed.The existing spinning tourniquet was modified from the aspects of shorteningoperation time,controlling hemostatic pressure precisely,relieving tourniquet timely etc.The developed tourniquet was madeof engineering plastics and polyester webbing,and composed of a micro-regulation buckle,a main strap,a tightening band,atimer,a garrote,Velcro,a self-adhesive band,a garrote fixation clamp etc.Results The tourniquet had the operation timebeing 11.52 s,and avoided ischemic necrosis of tissues by automatic alarm in case of 1-h hemostasis for upper limbs or 1.5-hhemostasis for lower limbers.Conclusion The tourniquet gains advantages in low cost,high portability,easy operation,high efficiency and timing function,and thus meets the requirements for theater/field first aid.
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Pyronaridine and artesunate have been shown to be effective in falciparum malaria treatment. However, pyronaridine is rarely used in Hainan Island clinically, and artesunate is not widely used as a therapeutic agent. Instead, conventional antimalarial drugs, chloroquine and piperaquine, are used, explaining the emergence of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. In this article, we investigated the sensitivity of P. falciparum to antimalarial drugs used in Hainan Island for rational drug therapy. We performed in vivo (28 days) and in vitro tests to determine the sensitivity of P. falciparum to antimalarial drugs. Total 46 patients with falciparum malaria were treated with dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine phosphate (DUO-COTECXIN) and followed up for 28 day. The cure rate was 97.8%. The mean fever clearance time (22.5+/-10.6 hr) and the mean parasite clearance time (27.3+/-12.2 hr) showed no statistical significance with different genders, ages, temperatures, or parasite density (P>0.05). The resistance rates of chloroquine, piperaquine, pyronarididine, and artesunate detected in vitro were 71.9%, 40.6%, 12.5%, and 0%, respectively (Ppiperaquine>pyronarididine>artesunate. The inhibitory dose 50 (IC50) was 3.77x10(-6) mol/L, 2.09x10(-6) mol/L, 0.09x10(-6) mol/L, and 0.05x10(-6) mol/L, and the mean concentrations for complete inhibition (CIMC) of schizont formation were 5.60x10(-6) mol/L, 9.26x10(-6) mol/L, 0.55x10(-6) mol/L, and 0.07x10(-6) mol/L, respectively. Dihydroartemisinin showed a strong therapeutic effect against falciparum malaria with a low toxicity.
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Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Antimalarials/pharmacology , China , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Malaria, Falciparum/drug therapy , Parasitic Sensitivity Tests , Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Pyronaridine and artesunate have been shown to be effective in falciparum malaria treatment. However, pyronaridine is rarely used in Hainan Island clinically, and artesunate is not widely used as a therapeutic agent. Instead, conventional antimalarial drugs, chloroquine and piperaquine, are used, explaining the emergence of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. In this article, we investigated the sensitivity of P. falciparum to antimalarial drugs used in Hainan Island for rational drug therapy. We performed in vivo (28 days) and in vitro tests to determine the sensitivity of P. falciparum to antimalarial drugs. Total 46 patients with falciparum malaria were treated with dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine phosphate (DUO-COTECXIN) and followed up for 28 day. The cure rate was 97.8%. The mean fever clearance time (22.5+/-10.6 hr) and the mean parasite clearance time (27.3+/-12.2 hr) showed no statistical significance with different genders, ages, temperatures, or parasite density (P>0.05). The resistance rates of chloroquine, piperaquine, pyronarididine, and artesunate detected in vitro were 71.9%, 40.6%, 12.5%, and 0%, respectively (Ppiperaquine>pyronarididine>artesunate. The inhibitory dose 50 (IC50) was 3.77x10(-6) mol/L, 2.09x10(-6) mol/L, 0.09x10(-6) mol/L, and 0.05x10(-6) mol/L, and the mean concentrations for complete inhibition (CIMC) of schizont formation were 5.60x10(-6) mol/L, 9.26x10(-6) mol/L, 0.55x10(-6) mol/L, and 0.07x10(-6) mol/L, respectively. Dihydroartemisinin showed a strong therapeutic effect against falciparum malaria with a low toxicity.
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Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Antimalarials/pharmacology , China , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Malaria, Falciparum/drug therapy , Parasitic Sensitivity Tests , Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Sevoflurane preconditioning (SP) has been shown to invoke potent myocardial protection in animal studies and clinical trials. However, the mechanisms underlying SP are complex and not yet well understood. We investigated the hypothesis that the cardioprotection afforded by SP is mediated via the Wnt/glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β)/β-catenin signaling pathway.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two models were established: a Langendorff perfused rat heart model and the H9C2 cell hypoxia/reoxygenation model. Both rats and H9C2 cells were randomly divided into 6 groups as follows: S group, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) group, DMSO group, IWP group, SP group, and SP + IWP group. Hemodynamic parameters, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in coronary effluent and cell culture supernatant, and the infarct size were measured to evaluate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injuries. To determine the activity of Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway, the expressions of Wnt3a, phospho-GSK3β, and β-catenin were measured by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SP improved cardiac function recovery, reduced infarct size (18 ± 2% in the SP group compared with 35 ± 4% in the I/R group; P < 0.05), decreased LDH activity in coronary effluent, and culture supernatant. IWP-2, an inhibitor of Wnt, abolished the cardioprotection by SP. In addition, Western blotting analysis demonstrated that the expressions of Wnt3a, phospho-GSK3β, and β-catenin significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the I/R group, compared with the S group; and compared to I/R group, SP significantly (P < 0.05) increased Wnt3a, phospho-GSK3β, and β-catenin expressions. Pretreatment with IWP-2 significantly (P < 0.05) abolished SP-induced Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling activation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results showed for thefirst time that cardioprotection afforded by SP may be mediated partly via the Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway.</p>
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Animals , Male , Rats , Cell Hypoxia , Cell Line , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 , Genetics , Metabolism , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta , Hemodynamics , Methyl Ethers , Therapeutic Uses , Myocardial Reperfusion Injury , Drug Therapy , Rats, Wistar , Wnt Signaling Pathway , Genetics , beta Catenin , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The correct diagnosis of sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in AIDS patients is very important to their therapy. We aimed to assess the value of the computed tomography (CT) and clinical findings in predicting smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in AIDS patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 121 AIDS patients suspected of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis by clinical and radiographic findings were recruited. Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 57 (47.1%) patients. The CT and clinical predictors were selected to diagnose AIDS-related pulmonary tuberculosis through univariate and multivariate Logistic analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Multivariate analysis showed that five variables, including weight loss, presence of miliary nodules, necrotic lymph node, lobular consolidation, tree-in-bud sign, were independent predictors of pulmonary tuberculosis in AIDS patients. Predicted scores based on the five variables were used to identify pulmonary tuberculosis. If the predicted score of 3 was taken as the ideal cut-off point in the diagnosis of AIDS-related smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 84.2%, 81.2%, 80.0%, 85.2%, and 82.6%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prediction method based on five key factors of clinical and CT findings are useful in guiding the diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in AIDS patients.</p>
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Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Diagnostic Imaging , Multivariate Analysis , Radiography , Retrospective Studies , Sputum , Microbiology , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary , Diagnostic ImagingABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To comparatively study the difference of the skin expansion rate and instantly expanded skin retraction rate between implantation of double overlapping expanders and implantation of one single expander.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Mar. 2009 to Mar. 2012, 22 cases with 39 sites for skin expansion, received double overlapping expanders in 24 sites, single expander in 15 sites. The area of original skin and expanded skin was measured by "wet-cloth sampling". Then the skin expansion rate was calculated. A distance of 5 cm at the center of expanded skin was re-measured after taking out the expanders. Then the instantly skin retraction rate was calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During the same expansion period, the skin expansion rate was (3.5 +/- 0.9)% with the double overlapping expanders and (2.6 +/-0.6)% with one single expander, showing a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0. 002), while the instantly skin retraction rate was not statistically different [(30.3 +/- 0.8)% vs (32.3 +/- 0.9)%; P = 0.47)]. There was a negative relationship between the instantly skin retraction rate and the expansion period (r = -0.768).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The skin expansion rate can be increased with double overlapping expanders, while the instantly skin retraction rate doesn' t decrease. So the skin expansion efficiency is increased to reduce the re-expansion times for the patients with large lesions.</p>
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Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Plastic Surgery Procedures , Methods , Tissue Expansion , Methods , Tissue Expansion DevicesABSTRACT
Objective To Investigate correlation between screening assay of human papillomavirus (HPV) and microbial pathogens in gynecology. Methods Cervical samples were collected to search for HPV, bacteria and yeast infections in gynecologic outpatients. HPV typing was carried out by PCR and sequencing on cervical brush specimens. Chlamydia trachomatis was identified by strand displacement amplification (SDA) and the other microorganisms were detected by conventional methods. All data were analyzed to investigate the correlation among them. Results In this cross-sectional study, among 857 enrolled outpatients, there were 266 cases with positive HPV DNA, and the rate of infection was 31.0%(266/857). HPV genotype showed that thirty-five different HPV types were identified, of which HPV16 was the most prevalent ( 14.5%, 38/262), followed by HPV58 (9.2%, 24/262), HPV53 (8.0%, 21/262)and HPV42 (6.1%, 16/262); while other genotypes were present in less than 5% of HPV positive women.According to the reclassification, the aggregated percentage (high-risk and probably high-risk) of detected HPV was 58.8% ( 154/262), 27.9% (73/262) for low-risk and 13.4% (35/262) for unknown-risk HPV types. Among HPV positive women, cervical brush specimens results showed that more than 60% cases with normal cytology, 3.8% (10/266) with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), 29. 7% (79/266) with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and 3.0% (8/266) with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), respectively. Statistical analyses revealed there was a significant association between the infected HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis or Ureaplasma urealyticum ( >10000 CCU/ml; all P <0.01), while no correlation was found between HPV infection and bacterial vaginosis, streptococcus agalactiae, candida, Trichomonas vaginalis or Ureaplasma urealyticum ( ≤ 10000CCU/ml; all P > 0.05 ). Among the cases with bacterial vaginosis, the positive rate of HPV infected was42.6%. Chlamydia trachomatis was one of the high-risk factors for the infection of HPV ( OR = 2.82, 95%CI: 1.74 -4.57). Mycoplasma hominis was isolated only in 2 cases, no patient was infected with Neisseria gonorrhocae. Conclusions Although bacterial vaginosis was not significantly associated with HPV, it was more common among the HPV positive women. There is the significant association between HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis or Ureaplasma urealyticum which may be increase the infection of HPV. These data suggest that it may be important to screen for the simultaneous presence of different microorganisms which may have synergistic pathological effects.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the factors that affect the prognosis of primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PGI-NHL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 116 patients with pathologically confirmed PGI-NHL we treated from January 1993 to December 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used for analyzing the survival of the patients, and Log-rank test was performed to compare the survival rates in relation to different prognostic factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 3-year and 5-year survival rates of the patients were 63.8% (74/116) and 48.2% (40/83), respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that the factors affecting the prognosis of the patients included the presence of B symptom, tumor size, clinical stage, pathological type, depth of invasion, and treatment methods. The patients with B symptom, tumor size no less than 10 cm, advanced clinical stage (stages III(E) and IV(E)), T-cell type, and invasion beyond the serosa who received only surgical management had poorer prognosis than those free of B symptom with tumor size <10 cm, early clinical stage (stages I(E) and II(E)), B-cell type, and submucosal or serosal invasion managed with chemotherapy alone or in combination with surgery. Multivariate analysis showed that B symptom, tumor size no less than 10 cm, advanced clinical stage (stages III(E) and IV(E)), T-cell type, invasion beyond the serosa, and surgery alone were independently associated with poor prognosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The tumor size, clinical stage, pathological type, treatment methods are the independent factors affecting the prognosis of patients with PGI-NHL.</p>
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Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms , Diagnosis , Mortality , Pathology , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin , Diagnosis , Mortality , Pathology , Neoplasm Staging , Prognosis , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects of endogenetic field hyperthermia (EFH) in combination with L-OHP /LV / 5-FU in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 147 surgical patients with stage II-IV gastric cancer, who received postoperative chemotherapy with FOLFOX (L-OHP 85 mg /m square, 3 h intravenous infusion, followed by infusion of LV at 200 mg /m square in 2 h, intravenous injection of 5-Fu at 400 mg /m square, and intravenous infusion of 5-FU at 3000 mg /m square in 48 h). Eight treatment cycles (each lasting for 14 days) were administered. In 68 cases randomly selected from the cohort, EFH was performed on the first and third days (treatment group), but not in the other 79 cases (control group).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The response rate was 68.4% in the treatment group and 36.4% in the control group, showing significant difference between them (P<0.05). The 1-year survival rate was 88.2% in the treatment group, similar to the rate of 81.0% in the control group (P< 0.05), but the 3, 5-year survival rates in treatment group (67.6% and 30.9%) was significantly higher than those in the control group (47.6% and 15.4%, P<0.05). The adverse effects were similar between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EFH combined with the chemotherapeutic regimen FOLFOX might improve the therapeutic effect of stage II-IV gastric cancer without obviously increasing the adverse effects.</p>