Investigation on human hookworm infections in Anhui Province from 2014 to 2015 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the current status and changing tendency of human hookworm infections in Anhui Province. Methods According to the unified national survey scheme, a total of 48 survey sites were sampled from 16 counties (cities) in 4 ecological regions of Anhui Province using a stratified cluster random sampling method from 2014 to 2015. The hookworm eggs were detected in the fecal samples from permanent residents at ages of over one year living in the survey sites using a modified Kato-Katz thick smear method, and the subjects’health knowledge and behaviors were investigated using questionnaire survey. Results A total of 12 300 persons were examined in the 48 survey sites from 4 ecological regions of Anhui Province between 2014 and 2015, and 259 subjects were identified with hookworm infections, with a mean prevalence of 2.11%. Among the four ecological regions, the North China Plain had the highest prevalence of human hookworm infections (3.02%) and in all survey sites, Linquan County had the highest prevalence (7.03%). Ancylostoma duodenale was the predominant hookworm species identified (62.16%), and 65.64% had mild infections. The prevalence of human hookworm infections was significantly greater in women than in men (χ2 = 4.16, P < 0.05), and showed a tendency towards a rise with ages (χ2trend = 113.36, P < 0.01). In addition, the prevalence of human hookworm infections varied in occupations (χ2 = 159.41, P < 0.01) and education levels (χ2 = 34.95, P < 0.01). Questionnaire survey showed low prevalence of human hookworm infections in subjects knowing the question“how hookworm infection occurs”and denying“using fresh stools for fertilization”(χ2 = 15.05, P < 0.01; χ2 = 4.19, P < 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of human hookworm infections has greatly decreased in Anhui Province; however, the prevalence remains relatively high in some regions and populations. The North China Plain should be regarded as the key area for hookworm disease prevention and control, and housewives and populations with advanced ages and low educational levels are key targeted populations in Anhui Province.

Survival analysis of 121 patients with spinal metastases accepted spinal surgery / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of surgery in 121 patients with spinal metastases.Methotds A retrospective analysis of clinical data from April 2009 to March 2013 was performed in 121 patients with spinal metastases.From 37 to 65 years,69 males and 42 females with mean age of 55.6 years.Primary tumor origin:Lung 35(28.9％),Breast 26(21.4％),Renal 17 (14.0％),Prostate 20 (16.5％),Thyroid 14 (11.6％),Liver 2 (1.7％),Colon 1 (0.8％),other 6 (5.0％).All patients received surgery.Follow-up and survival time were analyzed.In preoperation and postoperative 3 month,pain levels were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS),neurologic deficit was evaluated by Frankel Grade and functional impairment was classified by Karnofsky Score.The quality of the life was assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire.Survival analysis was evaluated by Kaplan-meier.Results The period of follow-up ranged from 5 to 35 months with the average of 15.9 months.The mean survival was 14.5 months.1-year survival was 53.5％.2-year survival was 36.5％.In patients with lung cancer,the mean survival was 8.5months.1-year survival was 14.3％.2-year survival was 11.4％.In patients with breast cancer,the mean survival was 31 months.1-year survival was 57.7％.2-year survival was 46.2％.In preoperation and postoperative 3 month,the VAS showed statistical significance (t=21.6,P＜0.01) ;Post-operatively,80.3％ of all patients had functionally useful Frankel Grade D or E compared with 43.5％ pre-operatively.KPS score (80-100) percentage was 75.6％ postoperatively compared with 33.4％ preoperatively.In 1month postoperatively,35 of 75 patients who were sphincteric dysfunction preoperatively were improved.The EORTC QLQ-C30score was 83.39±7.23 in preoperation and 51.34±14.27 in postoperaion.The quality of life was impoved significantly (t=12.6,P＜0.01).Conclusion Surgical treatment was effective in improving quality of life by providing better pain control,enabling patients to regain or maintain mobility,and offering improved sphincter control.In all patients,the number of patents with spinal metastases from breast and lung cancer is higher.Compared with spinal metastases from breast cancer,the proportion of lung cancer origin received surgery is higher.

Posterior laminectomy and vertebroplasty combined with radiofrequency ablation in spinal metastases from malignant tumors / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of laminectomy combined with vertebroplasty in spinal metastases from rapid-growth tumors. Methods:Clinical data of 23 patients with spinal metastases of lung cancer, who were admitted to the Cancer Hospital from July 2008 to May 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen male and ten female patients, with an age range from 40 years to 65 years and a mean age of 51.5, were examined. All patients received posterior laminectomy to relieve spinal cord compression. Afterward, vertebroplasty combined with radiofrequency ablation was conducted, followed by the internal fixation of vertebrae (instrumental fixation). Operation time, blood loss, and bone cement leakage rate were analyzed. One month before and after the operation, pain measurement was conducted using visual analog scale (VAS) and neurologic deficit (spinal cord injury) by Frankel Grade. Functional impairment was classified by Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score. Quality of life was assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results:The mean operation time was 163±87.36 min. Blood boss was 430±130.35 mL. Bone cement leakage rate was 21.7%. One month before and after surgery, the VAS showed statistical significance (t=25.6, P<0.01). After surgery, 78.3%of all patients exhibited functionally satisfactory Frankel Grade D or E, compared with 43.5%of patients before the operation. KPS score (80 to 100) percentage was 69.6%after surgery compared with 34.8%before surgery. One month after the operation, remission of various degrees was seen in 10 of 18 patients who had sphincteric dysfunction before surgery (55.6%). The EORTC QLQ-C30 score was 85.39±8.99 before and 52.78±15.17 after operation. The quality of life improved significantly (t=11.6, P<0.01). Conclusion:Posterior laminectomy and vertebroplasty combined with radiofrequency ablation for spinal metastases from lung cancer is safe and effective. The treatment can improve pain, function, and life quality of patients with lung cancer spinal metastases.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with subtotal corpectomy for spinal metastases / 中华骨科杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of combined treatment with subtotal corpectomy and radiofrequency ablation(RFA) for spinal metastases. MethodsFrom April 2009 to March 2010, 29 patients with spinal metastases who received subtotal corpectomy were analyzed. Sixteen patients (7 men and 9 women) with an average of 57.8 years having received subtotal corpectomy alone were selected for comparison (the subtotal corpectomy group). Thirteen patients (7 men and 6 women) with an average of 58.3 years having received subtotal corpectomy combined with RFA were chosen as subjects of this study (the RFA combination group). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the patient's age, gender, and Tomita type. Pain levels pre-and post-procedure were assessed by the visual analogue scale(VAS), and neurologic deficit were evaluated by the Frankel scale. ResultsThe VAS in RFA combination group were 8.88±0.36, 3.76±0.33, 3.35±0.38 in preoperation, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The VAS in subtotal corpectomy group were 8.96±0.39, 3.81 ±0.48, 3.41 ±0.42 in preoperation, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The VAS in both groups showed statistical significance at each time point, there was no statistically difference between the two groups. The operate time in RFA combination group and subtotal corpectomy group were(216.54±113.77) min and(302.50±80.44)min, respectively. The blood loss of the two groups were (1084.62±539.82)ml and (1625.00±724.34)ml, respectively. The recurrent rate of the two groups were 30.8％ and 75.0％, respectively. The RFA combination group were lower in operate time, blood loss and recurrent rates than subtotal corpectomy group. Conclusion Compared with the subtotal corpectomy, the RFA combination can reduce the blood loss, operation time, and the recurrent rates.

Expression of VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 in papillary renal cell carcinoma and their relationship with prognosis / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the expression of VEGF receptors in papillary renal cell carcinoma and to explore the correlation between their expression and clinical prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression of VEGF receptors and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) were evaluated in 82 patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma using tissue microarray and SP immunohistochemical staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of VEGFR-1 in papillary renal cell carcinoma was 82.93%, VEGFR-2 63.41%, VEGFR-3 34.15% and PCNA 67.07%, respectively. Increased VEGFR-2 expression was significantly correlated with tumor size (P = 0.016), histological grade (P = 0.034) and distant metastasis (P = 0.002). VEGFR-3 expression was correlated with histological grade (P = 0.028), lymph node status (P = 0.010) and distant metastasis (P = 0.018), but not correlated with gender, age, location, tumor size and TNM staging. VEGFR-1 expression had no correlation with any clinic and pathologic factors. PCNA expression was correlated with histological grade (P = 0.011), but not correlated with other factors. The expression of VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 in death cases were higher than that in surviving patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 can serve as markers for prognosis of papillary renal cell carcinoma. Differently, VEGFR-3 is a predictor of lymph node metastasis, increased VEGFR-2 expression could be used to predict a potential blood dissemination.</p>

Expression and clinical significance of c-kit and PCNA in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of c-kit and analyze its relationship with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in RCC subtypes and its clinical progression. Methods Expression of c-kit protein was retrospectively studied with immunohistochemistry in paraffin sections from 137 cases of clear renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), 82 papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC), 51 chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC). Results The positive rate of c-kit in ChRCC was 94.1%(48/51), it was statistically higher than that in CCRCC (16. 1%, 22/137) and PRCC (28.1 %, 23/82)(P=0. 001 ). In ChRCC, the positive expression of c-kit was related with TNM stages. The positive expression of PCNA was related with the grade in CCRCC and PRCC. But there was no relationship between PCNA expression and grade of ChRCC. It also had the relationship with the metastasis in CCRCC. Conclusions The expression of c-kit in ChRCC is higher than in other subtype of RCC, and associated with tumor local progression. That makes c-kit as a helpful marker to discriminate different subtypes of kidney cancer.