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Background: This study aimed to evaluate the methylation of RUNX3 and RASSF1A gene promoter regions as a marker to distinguish between benign and malignant of small solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) ≤10 mm in size. Materials and Methods: A total of 147 patients with pathologically confirmed SPNs were enrolled. DNA samples were extracted from biopsy tissues or serum. Methylation of RUNX3 and RASSF1A gene promoter regions was detected by the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The expression of RUNX3 and RASSF1A in SPN tissues was detected by western blot. Results: Of the 147 patients, 89 had benign SPNs and 58 had malignant SPNs. The rate of serum RUNX3 and RASSF1A gene methylation in malignant SPNs was significantly higher than that in benign SPNs (65.5% vs. 12.3%, and 67.2% vs. 10.1%, respectively; P < 0.05). The expression of RUNX3 and RASSF1A in malignant SPN tissues was lower than that in benign SPN tissues. The hypermethylation status of RUNX3 or RASSF1A genes was not significantly associated with age, gender, and smoking. Conclusions: The methylation level of the RUNX3 and RASSF1A gene promoter regions is a promising marker for assessing SPNs.
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Objective To evaluate the efficacy of fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets at tapering doses for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria. Methods After receiving evaluation of medical history and undergoing autologous serum skin test (ASST), 80 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria were randomly divided into two groups:conventional dose group administrating fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets 120 mg/d for 12 consecutive weeks, tapering dose group administrating fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets 120 mg/d for the first 4 weeks followed by dose tapering of fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets by 30 mg at the 5th and 9th weeks. The urticaria activity score(UAS) and dermatology life quality index(DLQI)were evaluated before the treatment(baseline)as well as after 4?, 8?and 12?week treatment, and the total dose of fexofenadine hydrochloride was calculated. Results A total of 76 patients completed the 12?week treatment, including 37 patients in the conventional dose group and 39 patients in the tapering dose group. After 4?, 8?and 12?week treatment, a significant decrease was observed in the UAS in the conventional dose group(0.64 ± 0.82, 0.37 ± 0.68 and 0.27 ± 0.56 vs. 4.08 ± 0.79, all P0.05). After 8?and 12?week treatment, symptoms were controlled in 71.79%(28/39)and 82.05%(32/39)of patients in the tapering dose group, respectively, with the total dose of fexofenadine hydrochloride being significantly lower in the tapering dose group than in the conventional dose group (both P<0.001). Conclusion After 4- 8 weeks of treatment with fexofenadine hydrochloride, the tapering dose regimen and conventional dose regimen show similar clinical efficacy in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.
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Objective To investigate the effects of three external nasogastric tube fixations on unplanned nasogastric tube removal after radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.Methods Two hundred and thirty four esophageal cancer patients who underwent radical esophagectomy with nasogastric intubation were assigned into conventional group I(n=74),conventional group II (n=79)and experiment group(n=81)using random number table.For external fixation of the nasogastric tube,the traditional group I used“3M”silk tape,the traditional group II used a white flat strap with two knots and the experiment group used anI-shaped nasal fixation tape combined with a flapping cheek fixation tape.The three groups were compared in terms of displacement of the indwelling nasogastric tube and slippage of the tube.Results The displacement rate of nasogastric tube and the rate of slippage in the experiment group were both significantly lower than those in both conventional groups I and II(all P<0.05).Conclusion TheI-shaped nasal fixation tape combined with a flapping cheek fixation tape in fixing the nasogastric tube can effectively reduce the incidence of unplanned removal of nasogastric tube and meanwhile the patients may feel comfort and satisfactory.
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[Objective] To evaluate the efficacy of autologous whole blood injections in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria and positive autologous serum skin test (ASST).[[Methods]] After assessment of clinical history,patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria underwent skin prick test (SPT) and ASST.Then,100 patients with positive ASST but negative SPT for common allergens were randomly classified into treatment group (n =60) and control group (n =40).Oral loratadine was given to all the patients with a gradual tapering to the least maintenance dose.Patients in the treatment group were also injected with autologous whole blood once a week for 12 times.Patients were evaluated by urticaria activity score (UAS) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) at the baseline,the end of the 3rd and 6th month after the initial treatment.The total amount of antihistamines required for the control of urticaria every month was calculated.The UAS,DLQI,accumulative amount of administrated antihistamines,and the diameter of wheal/flush induced by autologous serum were compared by t test before and after the treatment,and the efficacy was compared by rank sum test between the two groups.[Results] No significant difference was observed between the control and treatment group in UAS at the baseline (5.73 ± 0.51 vs.5.32 ± 0.79,P＞ 0.05).The UAS reached 1.57 ± 1.42 and 0.69± 0.92 with a decrease rate of 69％ and 81％ in the treatment group,and 3.65 ± 1.53 and 2.65 ± 1.61 with a decrease rate of 35％ and 53％ in the control group,respectively at the end of the 3rd and 6th month,and statistical difference was observed for the decrease in both groups at the two time points (all P ＜ 0.05).The total amount of antihistamines required for the control of urticaria per month averaged 8.63 pills and 3.83 pills respectively in the treatment group after 3 and 6 months of treatment,significantly less than that in the control group (16.85 and 15.27 pills,respectively).[Conclusion]s The combination of oral antihistamine and autologous whole blood injections can not only reduce disease activity and improve patients' quality of life,but also decrease the total amount of antihistamines required for the control of urticaria.
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Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of cytokeratin19(CK19) mRNA in the peripheral blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods The expression of CK19 mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the peripheral blood from 98 NSCLC patients (NSCLC group), 20 benign pulmonary lesion patients (benign pulmonary lesion group) and 20 healthy adults(control group). Results The positive rate of CK19 mRNA in peripheral blood of NSCLC group, benign pulmonary lesion group and control group was 77.55 % (76/98), 3.57% (1/28),0 (0/20) respectively,and there was significant difference among three groups ( x2 = 73.680,P ＜ 0.01 ). The positive rate of CK19 mRNA in different pathological types of NSCLC had no significant difference (x2 =0.414, P ＞ 0.05 ), but had significant difference in different lymphy node metastasis status( x2 = 17.523, P ＜0.01 ) and different clinical stage ( x2 =13.453,P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions The higher expression of CK19mRNA in peripheral blood of NSCLC may relate to cancer metastasis. Detection of CK19 mRNA has significance in early prediction of its prognosis.
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Objective To investigate the role of and relationship between reactivity to autologous serum and dermatophagoides farinae (Df) in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria (CU). Methods Autologous serum skin test (ASST) and skin prick test (SPT) to Df were carried out in 831 patients with CU. The correlation between reactivity to autologous serum and Df was statistically analyzed. Results The positivity rate of ASST and SPT to Df was 51.74% and 64.62%, respectively in the 831 patients. SPT was positive in 56.52% of patients with positive ASST and in 73.86% of those with negative ASST (P ＜ 0.05). In patients with positive ASST, the degree of autologous serum reactivity was negatively correlated with that of reactivity to Df (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions The skin reactivity to Df and autologous serum plays an important role in the pathogenesis of CU, and the degree of the reactivity to Df and autologous serum is negatively correlated. To conduct ASST and SPT simultaneously in patients with CU may favor the clinical classification and therapy of CU.