Correlation between baseline plasma D-dimer levels and prognosis in patients with non-smal cell lung cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation of baseline plasma D-dimer levels and clinicopathological features and tumor VEGF expression in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patients, and to evaluate the value of D-dimer in predicting survival time.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective review of the clinicopathological data of 290 NSCLC patients confirmed pathologically in Tianjin Cancer Hospital from July 2007 to April 2009 was performed. The correlations between plasma baseline D-dimer levels and clinicopathological characteristics and progonosis were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For 290 NSCLC patients with low ( ≤ 0.3 µg/ml) and high (>0.3 µg/ml) D-dimer levels, the median survival times were 54.0 months and 46.2 months, respectively (P < 0.05), and for the patients with stages I, II, IIIA, IIIB and IV NSCLC, the median survival times were 58.1, 40.6, 26.7 and 23.5 months, respectively (P < 0.05). In the operable patients (stages I, II and IIIa) with low and high D-dimer levels, the median progression-free survivals (PFS) were 35.0 and 11.0 months, respectively (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the median PFSs were 57.2 months and 19.6 months, respectively, in these operable patients without and with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>High levels of baseline plasma D-dimer may indicate advanced disease stage, larger tumor size, lymph node metastasis and stronger tumor angiongenesis to some extent, and may be useful in prediction of survival time in NSCLC patients of different stages.</p>

Localization of perforators in the lower leg by digital antomy imaging methods / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To offer both the accurate three-dimensional anatomical information and algorithmic morphology of perforators in the lower leg for perforator flaps design.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cadaver was injected with a modified lead oxide-gelatin mixture. Radiography was first performed and the images were analyzed using the software Photoshop and Scion Image. Then spiral CT scan was also performed and 3-dimensional images were reconstructed with MIMICS 10.01 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There are (27 +/- 4) perforators whose outer diameter > or = 0.5 mm ( average, 0.8 +/- 0.2 mm). The average pedicle length within the superficial fascia is (37.3 +/- 18.6) mm. The average supplied area of each perforator is (49.5 +/- 25.5) cm2. The three-dimensional model displayed accurate morphology structure and three-dimensional distribution of the perforator-to- perforator and perforator-to-source artery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The 3D reconstruction model can clearly show the geometric, local details and three-dimensional distribution. It is a considerable method for the study of morphological characteristics of the individual perforators in human calf and preoperative planning of the perforator flap.</p>

Relationship between the expressions of glucocorticoid receptors α, β, γ, p and heat shock protein 90 mRNA in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia resistant to the glucocorticoid / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions of GRα, GRβ, GRγ, GRp and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients and their correlations with glucocorticoid resistance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of glucocorticoid receptors (GRα, GRβ, GRγ, GRp) mRNA and HSP90 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 40 newly diagnosed ITP patients and 29 healthy volunteers were examined by real time PCR. Of them, 28 patients received glucocorticoid (GC) therapy divided into GC sensitive group (GCS) and GC resistant group (GCR) according to GC response. GRα, GRβ, GRγ, GRp, HSP90 mRNA and HSP90/GRα were analyzed in paired groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of HSP90 mRNA was significantly decreased in ITP patients \[0.91(0.48 - 2.21)\] than in normal subjects \[1.41(0.83 - 2.61)\] (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in mRNA expressions of GRα, GRβ, GRγ, GRp and HSP90/GRα between ITP patients and normal controls. The expression of GRα mRNA in GCS patients was significant higher than in GCR patients (P < 0.05). Moreover, no significant differences in mRNA expressions of GRβ, GRγ, GRp and HSP90 and the ratio of HSP90 to GRα were observed between GCS and GCR patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of HSP90 mRNA decreased in adult ITP patients. GC resistance in adult ITP patients was associated with reduced expression of GRα. The very low expression of GRβ mRNA may be not involved in GC resistance in adult ITP.</p>