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ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the cognitive function and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. MethodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) on tDCS for Parkinson's disease were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, VIP and Wanfang Data from the inception to September, 2023. Control group was administered standard Parkinson's medications or placebo, physical therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation, while treatment group received tDCS additionally. The quality of the researches was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Data synthesis and analysis were performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 17.0, with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. ResultsEight articles were included. tDCS significantly improved the scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MD = 2.00, 95%CI 1.13 to 2.87, P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the scores of Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (MD = 0.73, 95%CI -5.78 to 7.23, P = 0.830), Beck Depression Inventory-Ⅱ(MD = -0.77, 95%CI -7.14 to 5.60, P = 0.810), and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale-Ⅲ (MD = 1.60, 95%CI -0.77 to 3.97, P = 0.190). ConclusiontDCS may improve cognitive function of patients with Parkinson's disease.
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Rotavirus (RV) is one of the main pathogens causing diarrhea in children under five years old, but the mechanism of RV-infected diarrhea is still unclear. The RV genome encodes six structural proteins (VP1-VP4, VP6 and VP7) and six non-structural proteins (NSP1-NSP6), among which NSP4 can interact with other non-structural proteins or structural proteins of RV to produce corresponding biological functions, and is a key factor in the formation of RV morphology, the process of infection and the pathogenesis of diarrhea. In this paper, the current domestic and foreign studies on the structure and function of NSP4 are reviewed.
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Objective:To compare the differences in population distribution and prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in T staging of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) 7th edition and UICC 8th edition, and to analyze the prognostic factors in patients with NPC.Methods:The clinicopathologic date of 184 patients with newly diagnosed NPC treated with IMRT at the Department of Radiation Oncology of Weifang People′s Hospital of Shandong Province from June 1, 2005 to December 31, 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were restaged according to the 7th and 8th edition of the UICC staging system. The distribution of T staging of patients in the two staging systems was analyzed, and the consistency of the two staging systems was compared using the Kappa consistency test. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and log-rank test was used to compare the prognostic differences among T stages. Cox regression model was used to analyze the prognostic factors of patients with NPC.Results:Of all 184 patients with NPC, stage T 1, T 2, T 3 and T 4 respectively accounted for 18.5% (34/184), 16.8% (31/184), 15.2% (28/184) and 49.5% (91/184) according to the 7th edition UICC staging system. However, stage T 1, T 2, T 3 and T 4 respectively accounted for 18.5% (34/184), 34.2% (63/184), 30.4% (56/184) and 16.8% (31/184) according to the 8th edition UICC staging system. The T staging population distribution of the two staging systems showed moderate consistency (Kappa=0.58). There was a statistically significant difference in overall survival (OS) among patients with stage T 1, T 2, T 3, T 4 according to the 7th edition UICC staging system ( χ2=10.606, P=0.014). There were statistically significant differences in OS between stage T 1 and stage T 2, T 3, T 4 ( χ2=4.866, P=0.027; χ2=11.965, P=0.001; χ2=4.351, P=0.037). The OS curves of stage T 2 and T 4 could not be separated. Moreover, the OS curves of stage T 3 and T 4 were distributed in reverse order. There was a statistically significant difference in OS among patients with stage T 1, T 2, T 3, T 4 according to the 8th edition staging system ( χ2=8.663, P=0.034). There were statistically significant differences in OS between stage T 1 and stage T 3, T 4( χ2=8.746, P=0.003; χ2=7.580, P=0.006). The OS curves of stage T 1 to T 4 were distributed in order, but the curves of stage T 3 and T 4 could not be separated. There was a statistically significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) among patients with stage T 1, T 2, T 3, T 4 according to the 7th edition UICC staging system ( χ2=11.289, P=0.010). There were statistically significant differences in PFS between stage T 1 and stage T 2, T 3, T 4 ( χ2=8.209, P=0.004; χ2=13.302, P<0.001; χ2=6.550, P=0.010). The PFS curves of stage T 2 and T 4 could not be separated. Moreover, the PFS curves of stage T 3 and T 4 were distributed in reverse order. There was a statistically significant difference in PFS among patients with stage T 1, T 2, T 3, T 4 according to the 8th edition staging system ( χ2=12.074, P=0.007). There were statistically significant differences in PFS between stage T 1 and stage T 2, T 3, T 4( χ2=5.182, P=0.023; χ2=11.217, P=0.001; χ2=10.174, P=0.001). The PFS curves of stage T 1 to T 4 were distributed in order, but the curves of stage T 3 and T 4 could not be separated. The results of Cox multivariate analysis showed that T staging of both staging systems were the independent prognostic factors of the OS ( P=0.013; P=0.026) and PFS ( P=0.031; P=0.012). However, T staging of the two editions were not the independent prognostic factors of the local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) ( P=0.351; P=0.167) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) ( P=0.059; P=0.052). The age was the independent prognostic factor of the OS ( HR=2.70, 95% CI: 1.53-4.76, P=0.001; HR=2.74, 95% CI: 1.55-4.84, P=0.001), PFS ( HR=2.72, 95% CI: 1.46-5.08, P=0.002; HR=2.94, 95% CI: 1.57-5.52, P=0.001), LRFS ( HR=5.87, 95% CI: 1.62-21.27, P=0.007; HR=6.02, 95% CI: 1.61-22.49, P=0.008) and DMFS ( HR=2.40, 95% CI: 1.22-4.72, P=0.011; HR=2.63, 95% CI: 1.34-5.18, P=0.005). N staging was the independent prognostic factor of the OS ( P=0.031; P=0.028). Conclusion:The T staging population distribution of the 7th and 8th edition UICC staging system had moderate consistency, and the T staging of the 8th edition is more advantageous in predicting the prognosis of OS and PFS. In both editions, T staging is an independent prognostic factor for OS and PFS.
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Background Oxidative stress is a main cause of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Lutein has a preventive role for AMD, but its antioxidant mechanism remains unclear.Objective Present study was to investigate the effect of lutein on oxidative stress of Müller cells and its signaling pathway.Methods Human Müller cells (human Müller cell strain) were cultured, and the cells at logarithmimic growth phase were incubated in 96 well plate overnightly.Oxidative stress cell models were established by adding 160 μmol/L H2O2, a median lethal dose for Müller cells.The models were divided into the model control group and 12.5,25.0,50.0 mg/L lutein groups,and the different concentrations of lutein were used to culture the cells for 24 hours, respectively.The routine cultured cells served as the blank control group.Growth of the cells was assayed by MTT method (absorbancy);the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in the cells was assayed by flow cytometry;the mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the cells were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively.Results The inhibitory effects on the cells were gradually enhanced with the increase of H2O2 concentrations,showing a significant difference among the groups (F =43.890,P＜0.01).A significant difference was found in apoptotic rate of the cells among the blank control group,model control group and 12.5,25.0,50.0 mg/L lutein groups (F =346.770, P =0.000) , and the apoptosis rate was significant elevated with the increase of lutein dose (all at P＜0.05).The ROS contents in the cells were 1.92±0.18,64.89±2.86,52.70±2.80,32.61 ±4.20 and 5.68 ± 1.35 in the blank control group, model control group and 12.5,25.0,50.0 mg/L group, respectively, with significant difference among the groups (F =324.900, P =0.000), and the ROS content was gradually reduced as the increase of lutein dose (all at P＜0.05).The relative mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were remarkedly higher in the 12.5,25.0,50.0 mg/L lutein groups than those in the model control group (F =236.960,242.620,186.830,263.120, all at P =0.000) , and no significant difference was seen in the relative expression level of nuclear Nrf2 protein among the groups (F =1.790, P =0.210).Conclusions Lutein can induce the expression of antioxidant enzymes by inducing the expression of nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and consequently inhibit the oxidative stress status.
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Objective To reveal the effect of lutein on the status of oxidative stress in rats with high homocysteine levels (HHcy) and relevent molecular mechanisms.Methods The wistar rat HHcy model was established by intra-gastric administration with L-methionine suspension and treated with lutein.The oxidative stress status and the gene expression changes of transcription Nf-E2-related factor2 (Nrf2),a regulation factor of down stream antioxidant protein gene expression,were detected in HHcy rats and lutein intervention rats.Results Compared with the rat serum SOD activities (134.32 ± 12.65) U/mL in the control group,the serum SOD activities in the HHcy model group (95.6 ± 10.92) U/mL were significantly lower (P ＜ 0.05).The serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in the HHcy model group (121.66 ± 18.64) U/mL were also significantly lower as compared with the the control group (183.17 ± 21.29) U/mL,P ＜ 0.05.However,the serum SOD (126.75 ± 11.26) U/mL and GPx activities (167.18 ± 19.66) U/mL in the lutein intervention group were significantly higher as compared with the HHcy model group.As compared with the rat serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content (5.11 ± 0.68) μmol/L as well as the hydroxyl free radical levels (0.53 ± 0.05) U/L in the control group,the serum MDA content (7.65 ± 0.87) μmol/L and the hydroxyl free radical levels (0.92 ± 0.09) U/L in the HHcy model group were significantly higher.The serum MDA content (6.44 ±0.91) μmol/L and the hydroxyl free radical levels (0.74 ± 0.06) U/L in the lutein intervention group were significantly lower as compared with the HHcy model group.RT-PCR and Western blot results also showed decreased expression of SOD2 and GPxl mRNA in aorta epithelial tissues of HHcy model rats.With lutein intervention,the expressions ofSOD2 and GPx1mRNA were significantly increased and the gene expression of Nrf2 also up-regulated.Conclusions The Hhcy model rats were under the status of augmented oxidative stress,and carotenoid lutein could attenuate the Hcy-mediated oxidative stress,and its mechanism might be potentially associated with up-regulating the expression of Nrf2,thereby inducing the expression of its downstream antioxidant proteins.
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Objective To compare the dosage characteristics between three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT)plan and simplified inverse dynamic intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)in patients with early-stage breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery.Methods 3DCRT and IMRT treament plans were designed for 14 female patients with early-stage breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery,4 of whom were left breast cancer cases.A dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions to the whole ipsilateral breast was delivered using 6 MV photons for 3DCRT or IMRT.For 3DCRT plans,tangential field irradiation was adopted.While for IMRT,reverse dynamic intensity modulated technology was done through two pairs of tangential-likely fields, and 10 Gy was boosted to the tumor bed concomitantly in 25 fractions.The conformity index (CI),heterogenei-ty index (HI),dose and volume of organs at risk were evaluated by dose volume histograms (DVH).Results Compared with 3DCRT plans for ipsilateral lung,the high dose volumes were reduced and the low dose volumes were increased in IMRT plans.The same phenomenon was also observed for the heart of the patient with left breast cancer.The crosspoint doses of 3DCRT DVH and IMRT DVH for lung or heart were (25.16 ±9.11) Gy,(28.63 ±10.41 )Gy respectively.There was no difference between the two plans in the V10 of contra-lateral breast [IMRT(4.13 ±5.17)%∶3DCRT(1.99 ±2.43)%,t=2.11,P>0.05],but the D30 and mean of IMRT plan were higher than that of 3DCRT [(2.23 ±1.77)Gy ∶(1.20 ±0.46)Gy,t=2.58,P0.05].While the CI of IMRT plans were improved compared with 3DCRT [(0.75 ±0.07)∶(0.62 ±0.09),t =5.68,P<0.000 1]. Conclusion Compared with 3DCRT plan in patients with early-stage breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery,the main advantages of four fields simplified inverse dynamic IMRT are concomitant tumor boosting, decreasing the high dose volumes of ipsilateral lung,and improving the CI of planning target volume at the same time,but the HI is not improved.The IMRT plan is a simple,rational and feasible design scheme.
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Bladder cancer is a common malignant tumor in urinary system. The life quality of patients reduces obviously after radical resection of bladder. Comprehensive treatment including radiotherapy and chem-otherapy after bladder preservation surgery plays an important role for the prevention of postoperative recur-rence,preservation the function of bladder,and improving the life quality of patients. Image-guided radiothera-py can reduce the setup error and inner boundary caused by the movement of organs,and can alleviate the side reaction of radiation,and it also can provide basis of expanding boundary of planning target volume for the blad-der cancer patients.
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AIM To investigate the actions of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the proliferation and differentiation of the non-adherent stromal precursor (NASP) cells. METHODS The osteogenic potential of the bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) isolated from Wistar rats were cultured in the absence or presence of bFGF. After ALP cytochemistry, the colonies were counted by image analysis. The cells cultured in petri dishes were stained by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) immunoperoxidase technique for collagen type Ⅰ, proliferating cell nuclear antigen ( PCNA ) and double staining for calcium and osteocalcin. RESULTS Many stromal precursor cells are present in bone marrow in a non-adherent form. bFGF not only stimulated the proliferation of NASP cells, but also enhanced the differentiation of NASP cells into osteoblasts. CONCLUSIONS NASP cells are possibly the main targets of the anabolic action of bFGF which may play an important role in fracture healing and bone formation.