ABSTRACT
Abstract This study aimed to perform a meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of gefitinib in combination with chemotherapy versus gefitinib alone in patients with advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). We searched databases for clinical studies that reported the efficacy or safety of gefitinib plus chemotherapy in comparison with gefitinib alone. Raw data from included studies were extracted and pooled to calculate the Odds Ratio (OR) for Objective Response Rate (ORR) and Disease Control Rate (DCR), the Hazard Ratio (HR) for Progression-Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS), and OR for complication ≥ Grade 3. A total of 10 studies containing 1,528 patients with NSCLC were identified and included in the analysis. Gefitinib plus chemotherapy showed significantly better efficacy in improving ORR (OR = 1.54; 95% CI [Confidence Interval], 1.13‒2.1; p = 0.006), DCR (OR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.14‒2.29; p = 0.007), PFS (HR=1.67; 95% CI 1.45‒1.94; p < 0.001) and OS (HR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.2‒1.87; p < 0.001) as compared with gefitinib alone. Consistent results were observed in the sub-population with positive EGFR mutation. The combination of gefitinib with chemotherapy had a significantly higher risk of complication (≥ Grade 3) with an OR of 3.29 (95% CI 2.57‒4.21; p < 0.001). The findings in the present study suggest that the combination of gefitinib with chemotherapy can provide better disease response and survival outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the effect of Shenqi compound on islet β-cell function in type 2 diabetic GK rats. The whole genome expression profile chip technology is used to explore the molecular mechanism of Shenqi compound regulating pancreatic islet cell function and provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes with traditional Chinese medicine. Method:GK rats were fed with high-fat diet daily for 4 weeks. Rats were randomly selected from GK rats to detect random blood glucose and verified the success of type 2 diabetes model. Rats were divided into 4 groups， Wistar group， model group， Shenqi compound（1.44 g∙kg-1） group and west glenn（16 mg∙kg-1） group. After 8 weeks of gavage， the serum insulin（INS） levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. The apoptosis of islet β cells was detected by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling（TUNEL）fluorescence method. Differential gene detection uses whole-genome expression profiling chip technology in each group of rat pancreatic tissues， the mRNA transcription level of key differential genes is detected by Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. Result:Compared with blank group， before gavage， 4 weeks， 8 weeks， GK rats have higher blood sugar in each group （P<0.01）.Gavage for 4 weeks and gavage for 8 weeks， compared with model group， the blood sugar of rats in each drug intervention group was lower （P<0.01）. Gavage for 8 weeks， compared with blank group， the INS level of model group was lower （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the Shenqi compound group had a higher INS level， and the sitagliptin group had a higher INS level （P<0.01）. After gavage for 8 weeks， compared with the blank group， the number of pancreatic islet β-cell apoptosis in the model group was higher （P<0.05）. Compared with model group， the number of pancreatic islet β cell apoptosis in the Shenqi compound group and sitagliptin group was lower （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Gene chip and Real-time PCR tests both showed that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase receptor 1（PIK3R1） was up-regulated in the Shenqi compound group/model group， and down-regulated in the sitagliptin group/model group， model group/blank group. Protein kinase B1（Akt1） was expressed in the Shenqi compound group/model The expression was up-regulated in the group， sitagliptin group/model group， and down-regulated in the model group/blank group. Conclusion:Shenqi compound which has the function of supplenmenting Qi and Yin and promoting the blood circulation， can inhibit the islet β cell apoptosis， improve islet β cell function， regulate insulin secretion， and prevent T2DM by up-regulating the expression of genes PIK3R1 and Akt1.
ABSTRACT
A comprehensive search of PubMed and Embase was performed in January 2015 to examine the available literature on validated diagnostic models of the pre-test probability of stable coronary artery disease and to describe the characteristics of the models. Studies that were designed to develop and validate diagnostic models of pre-test probability for stable coronary artery disease were included. Data regarding baseline patient characteristics, procedural characteristics, modeling methods, metrics of model performance, risk of bias, and clinical usefulness were extracted. Ten studies involving the development of 12 models and two studies focusing on external validation were identified. Seven models were validated internally, and seven models were validated externally. Discrimination varied between studies that were validated internally (C statistic 0.66-0.81) and externally (0.49-0.87). Only one study presented reclassification indices. The majority of better performing models included sex, age, symptoms, diabetes, smoking, and hyperlipidemia as variables. Only two diagnostic models evaluated the effects on clinical decision making processes or patient outcomes. Most diagnostic models of the pre-test probability of stable coronary artery disease have had modest success, and very few present data regarding the effects of these models on clinical decision making processes or patient outcomes.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Coronary Artery Disease/diagnosis , Risk Assessment/methods , Coronary Artery Disease/etiology , Predictive Value of Tests , Reproducibility of Results , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory adenovirus (ADV) infections in children from the Suzhou area, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of ADV-positive children out of 35 529 children with respiratory tract infections who were hospitalized in the Children's Hospital of Soochow University between January 2006 and December 2015 were retrospectively studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 35 529 children with respiratory tract infections, 440 (1.24%) were ADV-positive. There was no significant difference in the rate of ADV infections between boys and girls (1.18% vs 1.34%). The ADV infection rates of children at the age of <1 year old, 1-3 years old, 3-7 years old and 7-14 years old were 0.39% (71/18 002), 1.12% (103/9 191), 3.14% (201/6 398), and 3.35%( 65/1 938) respectively and the rate increased with age (P<0.01). The ADV infection rates in spring [1.85%(60/8 658)] and summer [2.20%(189/8 606)] were significantly higher than in autumn [0.30%(27/8 952)] and winter [0.69%(64/9 313)] (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The ADV infection rate is increased with age in the children from the Suzhou area, but it is not associated with gender. ADV infections are more common in spring and summer.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Adenoviridae Infections , Epidemiology , China , Epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Infections , Epidemiology , Time FactorsABSTRACT
"Assessing the quality by distinguishing features of traditional Chinese medicinal materials" is a characteristic quality evaluation system of traditional Chinese medicine, and it is also the basis of "Rating according to characters and setting the price by the grade" on the market. Astragali Radix was regarded as a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and this paper has carried out herbal textual research on the development and formation of the concept, "assessing the quality by distinguishing features of traditional Chinese medicinal materials", of Astragali Radix. The authentic medicine producing areas of Astragalus in China have experienced a great change, Gansu , Sichuan and adjacent areas before the Tang Dynasty; Shanxi during the Tang and Song Dynasty. The concept, "assessing the quality by distinguishing features of traditional Chinese medicinal materials", of Astragali Radix was formed in the Song and Ming Dynasty and still used today, which described as that the shape is "straight as an arrow"; the texture is "soft as cotton"; the section looks like" gold well and jade hurdle"; it was sweet in taste and has beany flavor. The system, "assessing the quality by distinguishing features of traditional Chinese medicinal materials", of Astragali Radix has undergone the adjustments from "true or false" to "good or bad", advance with the times, pick out the advantages from others and absorb the experience of traditional identification actively. Besides, it always returns to laconism from erudition and was summarized highly. Assessing the quality by distinguishing features of traditional Chinese medicinal materials and commodity specifications have the same root, so the former has reference meaning to revise the latter.
ABSTRACT
Puerariae Lobatae Radix, also known as Gegen, is a root derived from Pueraria lobata. Based on field investigation and the developmental anatomy of root tuber, we have elucidated the relationship between the growth of root tuber and the anomalous structure. The results of analysis showed that the root system of P. lobata was developed from seed and adventitious root and there existed root tuber, adventitious root and conductive root according to morphology and function. The root tuber was developed from adventitious root, its secondary structure conformed to the secondary structure of dicotyledon's root. With the development of root, the secondary phloem of root tuber appeared abnormal vascular tissue, which was distributed like ring in the outside of secondary vascular tissue. The root tuber might have 4-6 concentric circular permutation abnormal vascular tissuelobate, and was formed by the internal development of abnormal vascular tissue. The xylem and phloem of abnormal vascular tissue were the main body of the root tuber. The results reveal the abnormal anatomical structure development of P. lobata, also provides the theoretical basis for reasonable harvest medicinal parts and promoting sustainable utilization of resources of P. lobata.
Subject(s)
Plant Roots , Plant Tubers , PuerariaABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe therapeutic effect of acupuncture on peripheral diabetic neuropathies in the African area.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five Shiu points on the four limbs were selected. Jing (well-point) was needled by pricking method for blood letting, and acupuncture was given at points Xing (spring-point), Shu (stream-point), Jing (river-point) and He (sea-point), and after arrival of qi, the needles were retained for 30 min, once every other day, for 2 therapeutic courses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty-five cases were markedly effective and 68 cases were effective, the total effective rate being 89.68%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture has obvious therapeutic effect on diabetic neuropathies in the African area.</p>