Association between circulating CD39+CD8+ T cells pre-chemoradiotherapy and prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The mortality rate among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has improved significantly with the advent of chemoradiotherapy strategies. However, distant metastasis remains problematic. Tumor-specific reactivity in cancer patients has been detected exclusively in CD39+ T cells, particularly in CD39+CD103+ T cells. Circulating cancer-specific T cells are important for protecting against metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of circulating CD39+CD8+ T cells for metastasis in patients with NPC.@*METHODS@#We performed a cross-sectional, longitudinal study of 55 patients with newly diagnosed NPC of stage III-IVa. All patients were initially treated with standard combined chemoradiotherapy. Blood samples were obtained from 24 patients before and at 1 month and 6 months after treatment. T cell expression of CD39 and CD103, together with the markers of T cell exhaustion programmed death-1 (PD-1)/T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (Tim-3) and markers of cell differentiation CD27/CC-chemokine receptor 7/CD45RA, was examined by flow cytometry. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test analysis was used to analyze the differences between two groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for analysis of progression-free survival (PFS).@*RESULTS@#The expression of circulating CD39+CD8+ and CD39+CD103+ CD8+ T cells was significantly higher in patients without distant metastasis (CD39+CD8+: 6.52% [1.24%, 12.58%] vs. 2.41% [0.58%, 5.31%], Z=-2.073, P=0.038 and CD39+CD103+CD8+: 0.72% [0.26%, 2.05%] vs. 0.26% [0.12%, 0.64%], Z=-2.313, P = 0.021). Most CD39+ T cells did not express PD-1 or Tim-3. Patients with high expression of CD39+CD103+CD8+ T cells had better PFS than patients with low expression (log rank value = 4.854, P = 0.028). CD39+CD8+ T cells were significantly elevated at 1-month post-treatment (10.02% [0.98%, 17.42%] vs. 5.91% [0.61%, 10.23%], Z = -2.943, P = 0.003). The percentage of advanced differentiated CD8+ T cells also increased at 1-month post-treatment compared with pre-treatment (33.10% [21.60%, 43.05%] vs. 21.00% [11.65%, 43.00%], Z = -2.155, P = 0.031). There was a significant correlation between elevated CD39+CD8+ T cells and increased effector memory T cells (intermediate stage: r = 0.469, P = 0.031; advanced stage: r = 0.508, P = 0.019).@*CONCLUSIONS@#CD39+CD8+ circulating T cells have preserved effector function, contributing to an improved prognosis and a reduced risk of metastasis among NPC patients. These cells may thus be a useful predictive marker for a better prognosis in patients with NPC.

Analysis of mortality surveillance of residents in Minhang District of Shanghai from January to April in 2016-2020 / 上海预防医学

Objective:To characterize the mortality rate of residents in Minhang District of Shanghai from January to April in 2016-2020， and to determine the change in the epidemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 （COVID-19） in 2020. Methods:Data of mortality surveillance was collected from the death registry of Shanghai residents. Cause of death was coded and classified per the International Classification of Diseases （ICD-10）. The standardized mortality rate was calculated based on the standard population of China in 1990. The analysis was performed by Excel 2016 and SPSS 20.0. Results:From 2016 to 2020， the average crude mortality rate of residents was 281.75/100 000 from January to April in Minhang District of Shanghai， and the standardized mortality rate was 66.57/100 000. The top five causes of death in the latest five years were cardiovascular diseases， tumor， respiratory diseases， endocrine diseases， and injury and poisoning. The mortality rate was the lowest from January to April in 2020 in the past five years； furthermore， the mortality rate of respiratory system diseases has decreased significantly. Conclusion:Sex， age， place and causes of death in residents are consistent from January to April across years in Minhang District of Shanghai. However， there are minor differences in 2020， which may be attributable to the epidemic of COVID-19.

Effect analysis on remission policy for TB treatment fee in Tilanqiao community of Shanghai / 上海预防医学

Objective To analyze the change in cost reduction for tuberculosis (TB) patients in Tilanqiao community of Shanghai from 2006 to 2016,and to evaluate the implement effect of TB remission policy in Shanghai.Methods The data were collected on treatment costs for 309 TB patients who had completed treatment and participated in the cost remission reimbursement by outpatient registration.The trend of deductible expenses and the remission costs were analyzed by SPSS.Results During the implementation of the original remission policy(ORP),the deductible expense was 1 021.06±457.67 yuan.And it changed to 2 320.64±1 544.73yuan under the new remission policy (NRP),which had an increase of 1.27 times and the new remission fee ratio was 45.19%.The deductible expenses change curve shown a trend of rising.The new remission fee ratio was 27.62% in 2009 and increased to 46.62% in 2010,then became 51.05% in 2016.The new remission fee ratio for outpatients was significantly lower than that for the hospitalized.During the implementation of the ORP,the remission cost was 931.05±465.47 yuan,and it was 1 507.80±974.15 of the NRP,which increased 61.95%.The remission ratio was 17.55% of the ORP,when it was 15.91% of the NRP which decreased by 1.64 percent.The remission ratio curve showed a trend of downward.The remission ratio for outpatients was significantly higher than that for the hospitalized.Conclusion From 2006 to 2016,the implement effect of remission policy on treatment costs of tuberculosis had improved.However,it had not effectively reduced the disease burden of TB patients.So in the follow-up remission policy,we must strengthen improvement on the settings of deductible project and control disease treatment.

Comprehensive social, psychological and behavior intervention of Shanghai Cancer Rehabilitation Club / 上海预防医学

Cancer survivors are faced with physical, emotional, mental, social relationship, vocational, economic and other challenges with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.Those challenges would last for their whole cancer survivorship.In this case cancer has become a chronic disease.It is one of the most promising models that cancer rehabilitation organizations involving in community management and self-management of cancer patients.The comprehensive social, psychological and behavior intervention of Shanghai Cancer Rehabilitation Club has achieved positive results.It should be considered to summa-rize, evaluate and promote the intervention mode further.

The effectiveness and safety of L-amlodipine besylate for blood pressure control in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of L-amlodipine besylate for blood pressure control in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A total of 1051 mild to moderate essential hypertensives were recruited from 22 centers and randomized into three groups and were given low-dose L-amlodipine besylate (2.5 mg/d), high-dose L-amlodipine besylate (5.0 mg/d), and amlodipine maleate (5.0 mg/d) on the principle of open-label and parallel control. The study drugs were administered for 8 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 8 weeks treatments, the response rate of the three groups were 72.4%, 85.6%, and 76.2%, respectively. The rate difference between high-dose L-amlodipine besylate group and the other two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.01), while the rate difference between low-dose L-amlodipine besylate group and amlodipine maleate group was similar (P = 0.28). The event rates of the three groups were similar (4.3%, 4.6%, and 5.1%, respectively, P = 0.84).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-dose L-amlodipine besylate is superior to the other 2 groups on blood pressure control. The efficacy profiles of amlodipine maleate and low-dose L-amlodipine besylate are equivalent. Safety profiles of these three groups are comparable.</p>

Nuclear medical molecular imaging of tumor angiogenesis: current status and future prospects / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the current status and progress on nuclear medical molecular imaging of angiogenesis.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>A literature search was performed in Medline and PubMed published in English up to May 31, 2012. The search terms were molecular imaging, nuclear medicine and angiogenesis.</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Articles studying molecular imaging of angiogenesis using radionuclide were selected and reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Molecular imaging has been used for studying angiogenesis by targeting integrin αVβ3, VEGF/VEGFR, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with radionuclide-labeled tracers. The technology has been shown to be able to assess the angiogenesis status and/or predict the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy. Future directions of the research on the molecular imaging of angiogenesis include development of new tracers with better tumor targeting efficacy, desirable pharmacokinetics, and easy translation to clinical applications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Advances in molecular imaging of angiogenesis using radioculcide will make the technology a valuable tool for personalized anti-angiogenesis treatment.</p>

Application of precise radiotherapy in the combined modality therapy of gastrointestinal tract tumors / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Single modality treatment of advanced gastrointestinal cancer has been associated with unfavorable outcomes. Radiotherapy as an important component of the combined modality therapy of gastrointestinal tract tumors may achieve down-staging, increase resection rate while preserving sphincter function, decrease local recurrence rate, and improve survival rate. Precision radiotherapy has better conformity, accuracy, and lower toxicity. Precision radiotherapy will become more and more important in the combined modality therapy of gastrointestinal tract cancer.

Again review of research design and statistical methods of Chinese Journal of Cardiology / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To re-evaluate and compare the research design and the use of statistical methods in Chinese Journal of Cardiology.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Summary the research design and statistical methods in all of the original papers in Chinese Journal of Cardiology all over the year of 2011, and compared the result with the evaluation of 2008.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) There is no difference in the distribution of the design of researches of between the two volumes. Compared with the early volume, the use of survival regression and non-parameter test are increased, while decreased in the proportion of articles with no statistical analysis. (2) The proportions of articles in the later volume are significant lower than the former, such as 6(4%) with flaws in designs, 5(3%) with flaws in the expressions, 9(5%) with the incomplete of analysis. (3) The rate of correction of variance analysis has been increased, so as the multi-group comparisons and the test of normality. The error rate of usage has been decreased form 17% to 25% without significance in statistics due to the ignorance of the test of homogeneity of variance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Many improvements showed in Chinese Journal of Cardiology such as the regulation of the design and statistics. The homogeneity of variance should be paid more attention in the further application.</p>

Application of spline-based Cox regression on analyzing data from follow-up studies / 中华流行病学杂志

With R,this study involved the application of the spline- based Cox regression to analyze data related to follow-up studies when the two basic assunptions of Cox proportional hazards regression were not satisfactory.Results showed that most of the continuous covariatcs contributed nonlincarly to mortality risk while the effects of three covariates were timc- depcndent.After considering multiple covariatcs in spline-based Cox regression,when the ankle brachial index (ABI) decreased by 0.1,the hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause death was 1.071.The spline-based Cox regression method could be applied to analyze the data related to follow-up studies when the assumptions of Cox proportional hazards regression were violatcd.

Inhibitory effect of compound cantharides capsule on the proliferation of xenografts of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG(2)215 in mice / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inhibitory effect of compound cantharides capsules on the proliferation of xenografts of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG(2215) in mice and their mechanism of action.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred healthy Balb/c mice (5-week old, male:female 1:1) were used in this study. Mouse models of human HepG(2215) hepatocarcinoma were established. The tumor-bearing mice were divided into five groups randomly. The control group A received daily intragastric administration of physiologic saline. The intervention groups B1, B2 and B3 were treated with compound cantharides capsule in a dose of 12.5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1), 25 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) and 37.5 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1), respectively, for 10 consecutive days. The group C had intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (25 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)) for 10 consecutive days. The mice were sacrificed after the completion of administration. The tumors were taken out, the tumor volume was measured, the inhibitory rate of body weight was calculated, and the serum AFP concentration and the level of HBV DNA were determined. The survival of each group mice was analyzed. The levels of mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes were assayed by quantitative RT-PCR. Apoptosis in the tumor cells was assayed with TUNEL staining. Flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of CD3(+), CD19(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+), and microvessel density (MVD) of the tumors was assessed by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After completion of the treatment, the inhibition rate of tumor growth of the groups B1, B2 and B3 was 29.8%, 38.7% and 48.1%, respectively, and that of the group C was 52.4%, with a significant difference among the groups (P < 0.05). The median survival time of the groups A, B1, B2, B3 and C was (30.0 ± 3.2) days, (49.0 ± 5.1) days, (50.0 ± 5.2) days, (57.5 ± 6.5) days and (49.0 ± 4.7) days, respectively. The median survival time of the group B3 was significantly longer than that of other groups (P < 0.05). The serum AFP level in the groups A, B1, B2, B3 and C was (492.7 ± 48.5) ng/ml, (281.2 ± 25.6) ng/ml, (194.3 ± 18.7) ng/ml, (170.1 ± 15.8) ng/ml and (138.7 ± 12.5) ng/ml, respectively, indicating that it was significantly inhibited in the group C. The inhibition rate of HBV DNA replication of the groups B1, B2, B3 and C was (46.0 ± 5.1)%, (65.5 ± 6.9)%, (81.3 ± 7.8)% and (19.5 ± 2.1)%, respectively, showing that compound cantharides capsules inhibited HBV DNA replication in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptosis rate of the groups A, B1, B2, B3 and C was (0.27 ± 0.03)%, (7.18 ± 2.12)%, (9.17 ± 2.42)%, (11.27 ± 3.03)% and (5.44 ± 2.45)%, respectively, and that of the group B3 was significantly higher than that of the groups A, B1, B2 and C (P < 0.05). The expression level of bax mRNA was significantly higher than that of the group C (P < 0.05). The drug could significantly decrease the bcl-2 mRNA expression level, more remarkably along with the increasing dose of cantharides, and it was significantly lower than that in the group C (P < 0.05). The levels of CD4(+), CD8(+), CD3(+) and CD19(+) were significantly higher than that in the groups A and C (P < 0.05). The value of MVD of the group B3 was significantly lower that that of groups A and C (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound cantharides capsules may inhibit the replication of HBV DNA in HepG(2215) cells, inducing apoptosis in the tumor cells, enhancing the immune function to inhibit the growth of liver cancer cells in mice, and significantly prolong the median survival time of tumor-bearing mice.</p>

The influence of high birth weight on the blood pressure during childhood—a cohort study / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To explore the effects of high birth weight (HBW) on blood pressure (BP) during childhood.Methods A total of 1435 couples with high or normal birth weight were selected from a birth cohort who were born between 1993 and 1995 in Wuxi,China and,followed between 2005 and 2007.A questionnaire survey was conducted,with their height,weight and blood pressure measured.Results The medians of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP)of HBW group were 100 mm Hg (Q1-Q3∶90-110 mm Hg),64 mm Hg (Q1-Q3∶60-70 mm Hg) in the high birth weight group,respectively,while they were 100 mm Hg (Q1-Q3∶90-108 mm Hg),62 mm Hg (Q1-Q3∶60-70 mm Hg) in the normal weight group.No statistical significant difference was found between the exposed and unexposed groups.The proportion of elevated BP,including prehypertension and hypertension,in exposed group was 13.66％,a bit higher than that (11.57％) of the unexposed group (P ＝ 0.055).The relative risk (RR) of HBW on elevated BP was 1.06 (0.92-1.21),after adjusted the following parameters as BMI in childhood,sex,age during the follow-up period,age of mother at delivery,gestational age,type of feeding at infancy,dietary habit as well as the frequencies of exercise during childhood.Conclusion No statistically significant correlation was found between high birth weight and blood pressure of children.

Relationship and interactions between elevated fasting glucose and hypertension for cardiocerebral vascular disease / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship and interaction of elevated fasting glucose and hypertension on cardiocerebral vascular disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>10 054 males and females were recruited for our cross-sectional study during May 2007 to August 2007. Unconditional logistic regression was used to analysis the relationship between fasting glucose and hypertension on cardiocerebral vascular disease. A product of fasting glucose and hypertension was added to the logistic regression model to evaluate the multiplicative interaction and relative excess risk of interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP) of interaction and synergy index (S) was applied to evaluate the additive interaction of the two factors. Bootstrap was used to calculate 95% confidence intervals (CI) of RERI, AP and S.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After adjusting age, gender, smoking, drinking, body mass index (BMI) and region, the product of fasting glucose and hypertension was not statistically significant, which means there was no multiplicative interaction between the two. But the additive indexes RERI, AP and S with 95%CI of diabetes and hypertension were 0.64 (0.03, 1.25), 0.27 (0.01, 0.47) and 1.83 (1.02, 5.13) respectively, which means significant additive interaction was shown between the two on cardiovascular disease but not no stroke. And there were no additive interaction between impaired fasting glucose on cardiovascular disease or stroke.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hypertension was independently related to cardiovascular disease and stroke in Beijing citizens, and diabetes were independently related to stroke. There was additive interaction between diabetes and hypertension on cardiovascular disease.</p>

The prognostic value of metabolic tumor volume in FDG PET/CT evaluation of post-operative survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer / 中华核医学杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prognostic value of MTV on 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with esophageal cancer.MethodsForty-nine patients with esophageal cancer underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT scan before surgery.The median follow-up time for the patients was 29 months (range,8- 57 months).The prognostic significance of MTV,age,sex,histologic grade,SUVmax of the primary tumor,tumor size measured on PET/CT,T stage,N stage,M stage,American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage,number and location of lymph nodes metastases were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox model.ResultsIn the univariate analysis,AJCC stage (x2 =16.206,hazard ratio (HR) =1.177,P ＜0.001),N stage (x2 =9.536,HR =10.833,P =0.002),T stage (x2 =5.810,HR=2.397,P=0.016),number of lymph nodes metastases (x2 =11.423,HR =1.567,P =0.001 ),and MTV (x2 =3.872,HR =2.433,P =0.049 ) were significant predictors of survival.Multivariate analysis showed that MTV and AJCC stage were independent predictors of survival (x2 =4.525,HR1.170,P =0.033 ;X2=4.875,HR =3.071,P =0.027).Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed longer survival time of low-MTV group as compared to high-MTV group ( Log-rank,x2 =4.186,P =0.041 ).ConclusionMTV on 18 F-FDG PET/CT may be an independent prognostic factor in patients with esophageal cancer.

Clinical applications of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in carcinoma of unknown primary / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) encompasses a heterogeneous group of tumors with varying clinical features. The management of patients of CUP remains a clinical challenge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical applications of integrated (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) information in patients with CUP, including detecting the occult primary tumor and effecting on disease therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and forty-nine patients with histologically-proven metastases of CUP were included. For all patients, the conventional diagnostic work-up was unsuccessful in localizing the primary site. Whole-body PET/CT images were obtained approximately 60 minutes after intravenous injection of 350 - 425 MBq of (18)F-FDG.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 24.8% of patients, FDG PET/CT detected primary tumors that were not apparent after conventional workup. In this group of patients, the overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates of FDG PET/CT in detecting unknown primary tumors were 86.0%, 87.7%, and 87.2%, respectively. FDG PET/CT imaging also led to the detection of previously unrecognized metastases in 29.5% of patients. Forty-seven (31.5%, 47 of 149) patients underwent a change in therapeutic management.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FDG PET/CT is a valuable tool in patients with CUP, because it assisted in detecting unknown primary tumors and previously unrecognized distant metastases, and optimized the management of these patients.</p>

Hypertension and cardiovascular risk evaluation of Chinese cardiovascular physicians / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rate of hypertension and to evaluate the 10-year absolute risk of coronary heart disease(CHD) and ischemic cardiovascular disease(ICVD) in Chinese cardiovascular physicians.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 4032 cardiovascular physicians (28 to 79 years old) from 386 hospitals in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities were randomly selected and received an epidemiologic survey of prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension and evaluations of CHD and ICVD risk.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of hypertension in Chinese cardiovascular physicians was 13.1%. The awareness rate of hypertension in Chinese cardiovascular physicians was 81.7%. Hypertension treatment rate was 69.6% and blood pressure control rate was 44.6%. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in male physicians than in female physicians before the age of 55 years old. Ten-year absolute risk of CHD and ICVD was 0.08 and 0.03 in hypertensive physicians compared to 0.03 and 0.01 in non-hypertensive physicians.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results show suboptimal awareness, treatment and control rate in Chinese cardiovascular physicians for their own hypertension status.Physicians suffering from hypertension face higher risk for cardiovascular disease. It is therefore necessary to improve the self-monitoring of blood pressure in Chinese cardiovascular physicians.</p>

Low ankle brachial index and risk of death: a meta-analysis / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the association between low ankle brachial index and risk of death.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Related cohort studies in the past 12 years were collected. Heterogeneity was analyzed with χ(2) and I(2). Pooled hazard ratio (HR) as the effect indicator and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate the association of low ankle brachial index and risk of death by fixed effect model (inverse variance method).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 8 studies were included with sum sample size of 30 029. In heterogeneity analysis, χ(2) was 5.46, I(2) was 0.0%, and P was 0.604. Meta-analysis resulted in pooled HR of 1.69 (95%CI: 1.55 - 1.84).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Low ankle brachial index is associated with increased risk of death.</p>

Prognostic value of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA in patients with undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma before and after radiotherapy / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of CYFRA 21-1 (CYFRA) and CEA as a prognostic marker in patients with undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2004 to February 2008, 62 patients with newly diagnosed, undifferentiated NPC were treated in our department. Their clinocopathological data were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy using 6 MV X-rays, and serum CYFRA and CEA before and after radiotherapy were assayed. The association among the long-term follow-up results and age, sex, smoke, TNM stage, chemotherapy, CEA, CYFRA and the changes in any direction of serum CYFRA and CEA were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients with low pre-RT level (≤ 2.49 µg/L) of CYFRA had a significantly better overall survival (OS) than patients with high level (> 2.49 µg/L,OR = 8.555, P = 0.029). N classification and T classification were positively associated with the prediction of progression free survival (OR = 4.054, P = 0.001;OR = 3.873, P = 0.001). But there was no significant association between the rest predictors (age, sex, CEA, post-RT CYFRA, chemotherapy and a radiation-induced decrease in serum markers) and the survival or recurrence rate by multivariate analysis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results of the present study show that pre-RT serum CYFRA level is a valuable factor for predicting long-term survival in patients with undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. More aggressive treatment may be given to those patients with a high serum CYFRA level.</p>

Current status and prospectives of proton and heavier-ion beam therapy for tumor in the digestive system / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Particle radiotherapy using proton and heavier-ion beam was first proposed for clinical application by Robert Wilson in 1946. Compared to conventional photon radiation, proton and heavier-ion beam has significant physical advantage, and heavier-ion has unique biological characteristics. With the development of accelerator and radiation technique, it is being investigated for tumor treatment in many clinical centers. This article reviews the current status of clinical application of particle therapy using proton and heavier-ion beam in digestive system tumor.

Detecting the epidermal growth factor receptors status in non-small cell lung cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Non-small cell lung cancer is one of the leading causes of all cancer deaths, but despite years of research, it is still difficult to predict the response and clinical outcome of the disease. In recent years, new treatment strategies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) have been developed. EGFR is one of the most frequently over expressed proteins in various cancers, including lung cancer, and signaling through this receptor has been known to cause tumor progression as well as resistance to different treatments. Therefore, EGFR has become an attractive target for various treatment strategies. However, it is important to note that not all patients with lung cancer are suitable for targeted treatment, and that patients should be selected for this treatment. Several studies have proven that the status of the EGFR can be both an indicator of suitability for treatment with, and predict the likelihood of response to EGFR targeted therapy. There are many standard techniques to be used for the detection of EGFR. This overview summarizes the ongoing and future investigations to determine the status of the EGFR.

Association between marital status and prevalence of peripheral arterial disease among Beijing residents: a cross-sectional study / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between marital status and prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) among Beijing residents.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From May to August 2007, 10 054 residents were interviewed to collect demographic and biochemistry information. Generalized linear mixed model was used to determine the relationship between marital status and prevalence of PAD in terms of OR and corresponding 95% confidence intervals.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After adjusting the traditional risk factors including age, area, lipid, serum glucose, blood pressure, central obesity, smoking, drinking and physical activities for PAD, relationship between marital status and prevalence of PAD was found both at the female and male groups of those with 45 years or older. Compared with married men, OR and 95% confidence interval of PAD for unmarried men were 1.56 (0.39 - 6.35) and 1.61 (0.77 - 3.35) for those with 45 years younger and older respectively, while compared with married women, OR and 95% confidence interval of PAD for unmarried women were 0.75 (0.22 - 2.57) and 1.78 (1.23 - 2.58) for those with 45 years younger and older respectively. Significant differences (all P < 0.01) were found between married and unmarried women of 45 years or older in terms of age, waist circumstances, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and smoking.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Peripheral arterial disease was related to marital status for women of 45 years or older among Beijing residents. Estrogen level and the distribution of other PAD risk factors might contribute to the observed finding.</p>