Aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Linking environment to aging process in elderly patients with asthma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Aging is a significant risk factor for various diseases, including asthma, and it often leads to poorer clinical outcomes, particularly in elderly individuals. It is recognized that age-related diseases are due to a time-dependent accumulation of cellular damage, resulting in a progressive decline in cellular and physiological functions and an increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. The effects of aging affect not only the elderly but also those of younger ages, posing significant challenges to global healthcare. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with aging in different diseases is essential. One intriguing factor is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which serves as a cytoplasmic receptor and ligand-activated transcription factor and has been linked to the aging process. Here, we review the literature on several major hallmarks of aging, including mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, autophagy, mitophagy, epigenetic alterations, and microbiome disturbances. Moreover, we provide an overview of the impact of AhR on these hallmarks by mediating responses to environmental exposures, particularly in relation to the immune system. Furthermore, we explore how aging hallmarks affect clinical characteristics, inflammatory features, exacerbations, and the treatment of asthma. It is suggested that AhR signaling may potentially play a role in regulating asthma phenotypes in elderly populations as part of the aging process.

Kinetic Characteristics of Neutralizing Antibody Responses Vary among Patients with COVID-19 / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to present a major challenge to public health. Vaccine development requires an understanding of the kinetics of neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).@*Methods@#In total, 605 serum samples from 125 COVID-19 patients (from January 1 to March 14, 2020) varying in age, sex, severity of symptoms, and presence of underlying diseases were collected, and antibody titers were measured using a micro-neutralization assay with wild-type SARS-CoV-2.@*Results@#NAbs were detectable approximately 10 days post-onset (dpo) of symptoms and peaked at approximately 20 dpo. The NAb levels were slightly higher in young males and severe cases, while no significant difference was observed for the other classifications. In follow-up cases, the NAb titer had increased or stabilized in 18 cases, whereas it had decreased in 26 cases, and in one case NAbs were undetectable at the end of our observation. Although a decreasing trend in NAb titer was observed in many cases, the NAb level was generally still protective.@*Conclusion@#We demonstrated that NAb levels vary among all categories of COVID-19 patients. Long-term studies are needed to determine the longevity and protective efficiency of NAbs induced by SARS-CoV-2.

Effects of Toluene on the Development of the Inner Ear and Lateral Line Sensory System of Zebrafish / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#The aim of this study was to explore the ototoxicity of toluene in the early development of zebrafish embryos/larvae.@*Methods@#Zebrafish were utilized to explore the ototoxicity of toluene. Locomotion analysis, immunofluorescence, and qPCR were used to understand the phenotypes and molecular mechanisms of toluene ototoxicity.@*Results@#The results demonstrated that at 2 mmol/L, toluene induced zebrafish larvae death at 120 hours post fertilization (hpf) at a rate of 25.79% and inhibited the rate of hatching at 72 hpf. Furthermore, toluene exposure inhibited the distance travelled and average swimming velocity of zebrafish larvae while increasing the frequency of movements. As shown by fluorescence staining of hair cells, toluene inhibited the formation of lateral line neuromasts and middle line 1 (Ml @*Conclusion@#This study indicated that toluene may affect the development of both the inner ear and lateral line systems in zebrafish, while the lateral line system may be more sensitive to toluene than the inner ear.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody predicts the development of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with undifferentiated arthritis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Clinical outcomes of undifferentiated arthritis (UA) are diverse, and only 40% of patients with UA develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after 3 years. Discovering predictive markers at disease onset for further intervention is critical. Therefore, our objective was to analyze the clinical outcomes of UA and ascertain the predictors for RA development.@*METHODS@#We performed a prospective, multi-center study from January 2013 to October 2016 among Chinese patients diagnosed with UA in 22 tertiary-care hospitals. Clinical and serological parameters were obtained at recruitment. Follow-up was undertaken in all patients every 12 weeks for 2 years. Predictive factors of disease progression were identified using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression.@*RESULTS@#A total of 234 patients were recruited in this study, and 17 (7.3%) patients failed to follow up during the study. Among the 217 patients who completed the study, 83 (38.2%) patients went into remission. UA patients who developed RA had a higher rheumatoid factor (RF)-positivity (42.9% vs. 16.8%, χ = 8.228, P = 0.008), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody-positivity (66.7% vs. 10.7%, χ = 43.897, P < 0.001), and double-positivity rate of RF and anti-CCP antibody (38.1% vs. 4.1%, χ = 32.131, P < 0.001) than those who did not. Anti-CCP antibody but not RF was an independent predictor for RA development (hazard ratio 18.017, 95% confidence interval: 5.803-55.938; P < 0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#As an independent predictor of RA, anti-CCP antibody should be tested at disease onset in all patients with UA.

Optimization of extraction of total flavonoids from leaves of Psidium guajava by orthogonal test based on information entropy weighting / 中草药

Objective: To optimize the extraction of total flavonoids from leaves of Psidium guajava. Methods: L9(34) orthogonal test was used to screen the optimal extraction technology of total flavonoids from leaves of P. guajava with ethanol concentration, solid-liquid ratio, extraction time, and extraction times as factors. The weight coefficient of the four evaluation indicators, including the yield of total flavonoids, hyperoside, quercetin-3-O-β-D-pyranarabinoside, and quercetin-3-O-α-L-furanarabinoside was calculated by information entropy weighting so as to calculate comprehensive score. We obtained the optimal technology by orthogonal analysis based on the comprehensive score. Results: The optimal extraction technology was that using 8-fold 70% ethanol water to extract 2 h for three times. The mean comprehensive score of the three batches was 0.142 1 and the RSD was 2.37%. Conclusion: The optimal extraction technology of total flavonoids from leaves of P. guajava was stable and feasible with high yield.

Clinical effect of fluticasone propionate, montelukast sodium and ketotifen in treatment of cough variant asthma in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical effect of different combinations of fluticasone propionate (Flu), montelukast sodium (Mon) and ketotifen (Ket) in the treatment of children with cough variant asthma (CVA).@*METHODS@#A total of 280 children with CVA who were admitted to the department of respiratory medicine from June 2015 to January 2018 were randomly divided into Flu+Mon+Ket, Flu+Mon, Flu+Ket, Mon+Ket, Flu, Mon and Ket groups, with 40 children in each group. The children in each group were given corresponding drug(s), and the course of treatment was 3 months for all groups. The condition of cough, cough symptom score, pulmonary function and adverse drug reactions were evaluated after 2 and 3 months of treatment. The children were followed up to observe recurrence.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, cough symptom score tended to decrease in all 7 groups, with increases in percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%) and percentage of predicted peak expiratory flow (PEF%). After 2 months of treatment, the Flu+Mon+Ket group had a significantly lower cough symptom score and significantly higher FEV1% and PEF% than the other groups (P0.05). There was a low incidence rate of adverse events in all 7 groups, and there was no significant difference among the 7 groups (P>0.05). The Ket group had a significantly higher recurrence rate of cough than the other groups (P0.0024).@*CONCLUSIONS@#For children with CVA, a combination of Flu, Mon and Ket has a better clinical effect than a combination of two drugs and a single drug at 2 months of treatment and is safe. After 3 months of treatment, Flu or Mon alone has a similar effect to drug combination. Ket alone has a poor clinical effect and a high recurrence rate after drug withdrawal.

Early Kinetics of Procalcitonin in Predicting Surgical Outcomes in Type A Aortic Dissection Patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In cardiac surgery, elevation of procalcitonin (PCT) could be observed postoperatively in the absence of any evidence of infection and also seems to be a prognostic marker. PCT levels measured in patients undergoing Type A aortic dissection (TAAD) were used to determine prognostic values for complications and surgical outcomes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Measurements of PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), and leukocyte count were observed in TAAD surgery patients (n = 251; average age: 49.02 ± 12.83 years; 78.5% male) at presurgery (T0) and 24 h (T1), 48 h (T2), and 7 days (T3) postsurgery. PCT clearance (PCTc) on days 2 and 7 was calculated: (PCTday1- PCTday2/day7)/PCTday1 × 100%. Endotracheal intubation duration, length of stay (LOS) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)/hospital, and complications were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PCT peaked 24 h postsurgery (median 2.73 ng/ml) before decreasing. Correlation existed between PCT levels at T1 and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (P = 0.001, r = 0.278). Serum PCT concentrations were significantly higher in nonsurvivor and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome groups on all postoperative days. PCT levels at T1 correlated with length of time of ventilation support and ICU/hospital LOS. Comparing PCT values of survivors versus nonsurvivors, a PCT cutoff level of 5.86 ng/ml at T2 had high sensitivity (70.6%) and specificity (74.3%) in predicting in-hospital death. PCTc-day 2 and 7 were significantly higher in survivor compared with nonsurvivor patients (38% vs. 8%, P= 0.012, 83% vs. -39%, P< 0.001). A PCTc-day 7 cutoff point of 48.7% predicted survival with high sensitivity (77.8%) and specificity (81.8%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PCT level and PCTc after TAAD surgery might serve as early prognostic markers to predict postoperative outcome. PCT measurement may help identify high-risk patients.</p>

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis in biomedicine research / 生物工程学报

High-throughput biological technologies are now widely applied in biology and medicine, allowing scientists to monitor thousands of parameters simultaneously in a specific sample. However, it is still an enormous challenge to mine useful information from high-throughput data. The emergence of network biology provides deeper insights into complex bio-system and reveals the modularity in tissue/cellular networks. Correlation networks are increasingly used in bioinformatics applications. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) tool can detect clusters of highly correlated genes. Therefore, we systematically reviewed the application of WGCNA in the study of disease diagnosis, pathogenesis and other related fields. First, we introduced principle, workflow, advantages and disadvantages of WGCNA. Second, we presented the application of WGCNA in disease, physiology, drug, evolution and genome annotation. Then, we indicated the application of WGCNA in newly developed high-throughput methods. We hope this review will help to promote the application of WGCNA in biomedicine research.

The relationship between RSUME and small ubiquitin related modifiers of HIF-1α with invasive pituitary adenomas / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective AIM:To study whether the RWD containing sumoylation enhancer (RSUME) enhanced small ubiquitin related modifiers (SUMO) to competitively inhibit Ubiquitin B (UBB)-mediated degradation of hypoxia hypoxia-inducible factor 1α.(HIF-1α) and the invasive pituitary adenomas.Methods The expression of protein and mRNA levels of RSUME,SUMO-1,UBB and HIF-1α were detected by using immunohistochemistry,western blot and qPCR in 38 cases of non-invasive pituitary adenoma,38 cases of invasive pituitary adenomas and 10 cases of normal pituitary capsule.The expression of SUMO-1 was analyzed in different types of pituitary adenomas.Results The protein,and mRNA levels of RSUME,SUMO-HIF-1αwere significantly higher in the invasive pituitary adenomas than in the non-invasive pituitary adenomas and normal pituitary capsule (P＜0.01).The protein and mRNA levels of RSUME,SUMO-HIF-1αwas higher in non-invasive pituitary adenomas than in normal pituitary capsule(P＜0.01).However,the protein levels of UBB-HIF-1α were significantly lower in the invasive pituitary adenomas than in the non-invasive pituitary adenomas and normal pituitary capsule (P＜0.01).The protein of UBB-HIF-1α were lower in non-invasive pituitary adenomas than in normal pituitary capsule (P＜0.01).The expression levels of SUMO were not significantly different among different types of pituitary adenomas (P＞0.05).Conclusion RSUM may increase pituitary adenomas angiogenesis and promote tumor invasion through enhancement of SUMO of HIF-1α which competitively inhibits ubiquitination of HIF-1 α.

Mechanism of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et Zucc extract-induced methuosis in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE1 and CNE2 cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et Zucc (PSZ) extract on methuosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE1 and CNE2 cells and explore the underlying mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CNE1 and CNE2 cells were treated with 1 mg/mL PSZ extract and the expressions of Rac1 mRNA and Rac1 protein were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results CNE1 and CNE2 cells showed obvious morphological changes typical of methuosis following treatment with PSZ extract characterized by cell merging, accumulation of large cytoplasmic vacuoles, and membrane rupture without obvious changes in the nuclei. PSZ treatment resulted in up-regulated Rac1 mRNA and Rac1 protein expressions in the cells. Application of EHT 1864 obviously blocked the effect of PSZ extract in inducing methuosis in CNE1 and CNE2 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PSZ extract can induce methuosis in CNE1 and CNE2 cells by inducing the overexpression of Rac1.</p>

RSUME promotes apoptosis of pituitary adenoma cell AtT-20 in mice / 基础医学与临床

Objective To explore the expression and influence of RWD structure small ubiquitin modified enhan-cer (RSUME) and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B-alpha (IκB-α) and nuclear factor kappa B-1 (NF-κB1) in pituitary adenomas of mice.Methods Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR ( q-PCR) was used to detect the level RSUME, IκB-α, NF-κB1 mRNA and Western blot was used to detect RSUME and the nucleoprotein of IκB-α, NF-κB1 changes in the level of protein , flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis .Results In protein level, RSUME and IκB-αexpression reduced ( P<0.05 ) , but NF-κB1 raised after transfection ( P<0.05); The level of RSUME mRNA was obviously lower after transfection than before (P<0.05).The level of IκB-αand NF-κB1 mRNA was not significantly changed; Flow cytometry confirmed cell apoptosis rate increased significantly after transfection.Conclusions RSUME can promote apoptosis of pituitary adenoma cells in mice by NF-κB.

Human brucellosis mimicking axial spondyloarthritis: a challenge for rheumatologists when applying the 2009 ASAS criteria / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Although the development of the 2009 SpA classification criteria by Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) represents an important step towards a better definition of the early disease stage particularly in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), the specificity of the criteria has been criticized these days. As the commonest zoonotic infection worldwide, human brucellosis can mimic a large number of diseases, including SpA. This study was performed to determine the frequency of rheumatologic manifestations in patients with brucellosis and the chance of misdiagnosing them as having axSpA in central China. The results showed that clinical manifestations of axSpA could be observed in brucellosis. Over half of patients had back pain, and one fifth of the patients with back pain were less than 45 years old at onset and had the symptom for more than 3 months. Two young males were falsely classified as suffering from axSpA according to the ASAS criteria, and one with MRI proved sacroiliitis was once given Etanercept for treatment. Therefore, differential diagnosis including human brucellosis should always be kept in mind when applying the ASAS criteria, even in traditionally non-endemic areas.

ICOSL could upregulate immune response in Graves′s disease animal models / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To study the pathological mechanism of the inducible co-stimulator molecular and ligand ( ICOS/ICOSL) in Graves disease animal.Methods:45 out-bred BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups with 15 rats in each group;using gene gun to deliver different plasmid injection.Group A was delivered with pCDNA3.0-mICOSL and pCDNA3.0-hTSHR, Group B with pCDNA3.0-hTSHR and null pCDNA3.0 with Group C for immunization as the control group.The concentration of serum free thyroxine immunization was deter mined with immunoassay and serum thyrotropin receptor antibody ( TRAb ) with ELISA, supernatant of IFN-γconcentration in mouse spleen cells was measured with radioimmunoassay,and hTSHR transected CHO cells were incubated to detect the concentration of cAMP to deter mine autoantibody TRAb activity.Results: After plasmid injection serum FT4 level in Group A (0.49±0.25) pg/ml ( q=6.571,P=0.023) was higher than that in Group C,the standard rate was higher than Group B and C (χ2=14.47,P=0.005).IFN-γconcentration of mice spleen cultured supernatant in Group A (1.88±0.41) pmol/L was significantly higher than the other two groups.The activity of autoantibody TRAb in Group A 188.3 (179.7-260.2) %was higher than that in the other two groups ( P=0.027 ) .Conclusion: Exogenous delivery of pCDNA3.0-mICOSL plasmid in GD mice could stimulate the spleen lymphocytes to secrete more IFN-γ,increase the activity of TRAb autoantibodies and might lead to upregulation of immune response in Graves animal model in vivo.

Mechanisms of anti-IL-1βand TNF-αimmunoglobulin yolk on treating guinea pigs with allergic asthma induced by ovalbumin / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To explore the mechanisms of the inhalation of atomized 1.0% anti-IL-1βand TNF-αimmunoglobulin yolk ( IgY) on treating guinea pigs with allergic asthma induced by the inhalation of aerosolized ovalbumin ( OVA).Methods:Healthy guinea pigs were randomly divided into the normal controls ( group C ) , the allergic asthma model group ( group M )-treated by the inhalation of atomized ovalbumin ( OVA ) , the inhalation of atomized 1.0% anti-IL-1βand TNF-αimmunoglobulin yolk ( IgY ) treatment group (group Z1)-treated asthma model guinea pigs by the inhalation of atomized 1.0% anti-IL-1βand TNF-αIgY,and positive control the inhalation of atomized budesonide treatment group (group Z2)-treated asthma model guinea pigs by the inhalation of atomized budesonide.The blood was gotten by cardiac puncture and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF ) was collected by bron-choalveolar lavage at 2 h,4 h,8 h and 24 h after the last time atomization.The inflammatory cells in the peripheral blood ( PB) were counted by methylene blue and eosin staining.Cytokine concentrations of IL-1β,IL-4,IL-6,IL-8,IL-13,IL-16,TNF-α,TGF-β1 and IgE in the plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:In PB,eosinophils was decreased from 2 h to 8 h in group Z1 compared to group M.In plasma,the levels of IL-1βat 4 h and 24 h,IL-16 at 2 h,4 h and 24 h,TGF-β1 from 4 h to 24 h and IgE at 24 h,as well as the levels of IL-1βand TNF-αfrom 2 h to 8 h,IL-4,IL-6,IL-8 and IL-13 from 4 h to 24 h,IL-16 at 8 h,and TGF-β1 and IgE from 4 h to 8 h,especially the level of IL-1βand TNF-αstarting at 2 h,in BALF were significantly reduced in group Z 1 compared to group M ( P<0.05 ).The levels of IL-1βand TNF-αwere positively cor-related with that of IL-4,IL-6,IL-8,IL-13,IL-16,TGF-β1 and IgE (P<0.05).Conclusion: The inhalation of aerosolized anti-IL-1βand TNF-αIgY effectively alleviates inflammatory responses in guinea pigs with allergic asthma induced by aerosolized OVA inhalation may be due to the significant decrease in the levels of various allergic inflammatory cytokines .

Evaluation of acute kidney injury as defined by the risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage criteria in critically ill patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Acute kidney injury (AKI) is considered as a common and significant complication following abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. This study aimed to assess the associated risk factors of AKI in the critically ill patients undergoing AAA repair and to evaluate the appropriate AKI management in the specific population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively examined data from all critically ill patients undergoing AAA repairs at our institution from April 2007 to March 2012. Multivariable analysis was used to identify factors associated with postoperative AKI, which was defined by risk, injury, failure, loss and end-stage (RIFLE) kidney disease criteria. The goal-directed hemodynamic optimization (maintenance of optimal hemodynamics and neutral or negative fluid balance) and renal outcomes were also reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 71 patients enrolled, 32 (45.1%) developed AKI, with 30 (93.8%) cases diagnosed on admission to surgical intensive care unit (SICU). Risk factors for AKI were ruptured AAA (odds ratio (OR) = 5.846, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.346 - 25.390), intraoperative hypotension (OR = 6.008, 95%CI: 1.176 to 30.683), and perioperative blood transfusion (OR = 4.611, 95%CI: 1.307 - 16.276). Goal-directed hemodynamic optimization resulted in 75.0% complete and 18.8% partial renal recovery. Overall in-hospital mortality was 2.8%. AKI was associated with significantly increased length of stay ((136.9 ± 24.5) hours vs. (70.4 ± 11.3) hours) in Surgical Intensive Care Unit.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Critically ill patients undergoing AAA repair have a high incidence of AKI, which can be early recognized by RIFLE criteria. Rupture, hypotension, and blood transfusion are the significant associated risk factors. Application of goal-directed hemodynamic optimization in this cohort appeared to be effective in improving renal outcome.</p>

Antithymocyte globulin-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome after renal transplantation: a case report / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) has long been used for immune-induction and anti-rejection treatments for solid organ transplantations. To date, few cases of ATG-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have been published. Here, we present a case of ARDS caused by a single low-dose of ATG in a renal transplant recipient and the subsequent treatments administered. Although the patient suffered from ARDS and delayed graft function, he was successfully treated. We emphasize that the presence of such complications should be considered when unexplained respiratory distress occurs. Early use of corticosteroids, adjustment of immunosuppressive regimens, and conservative fluid management, as well as empiric antimicrobial therapies, may be effective strategies for the treatment of ARDS caused by ATG.

Predictive value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in combination with the sequential organ failure assessment score in sepsis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The prognostic power of n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in sepsis is disputable and unstable among different models. We attempt to evaluate the prognostic potential of NT-proBNP in combination with the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score in sepsis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this retrospective study, 100 consecutive sepsis patients were enrolled. Clinical data such as admission SOFA, the Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation score, shock prevalence, use of lung protective ventilation, vasopressors, and glucocorticoids were recorded. Additionally, serum creatinine (Scr1 and Scr3) and NT-proBNP (NT-proBNP1 and NT-proBNP3) were assayed and evaluated at admission and on day 3 respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DNT-proBNP (NT-proBNP3 minus NT-proBNP1) (P < 0.001, Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.245, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.137 - 1.362) and admission SOFA (P < 0.001, HR = 1.197, 95%CI, 1.106 - 1.295) were independently related to in-hospital mortality. Their combination was a more robust predictor for in-hospital mortality than either of them individually. Patients with high DNT-proBNP and SOFA had the poorest prognosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In our study, both DNT-proBNP and SOFA were independent predictors of septic patients' prognosis. Moreover, the combination of DNT-proBNP and admission SOFA provided a novel strategy that contained information regarding both the response to treatment and sepsis severity.</p>

Increased pretreatment levels of serum LDH and ALP as poor prognostic factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 癌症

Serum enzymes that play potential roles in tumor growth have recently been reported to have prognostic relevance in a diverse array of tumors. However, prognosis-related serum enzymes are rarely reported for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC). To clarify whether the level of serum enzymes is linked to the prognosis of NPC, we reviewed the pretreatment data of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and glutamyl transferase (GGT) in 533 newly diagnosed NPC patients who underwent radical radiotherapy between May 2002 and October 2003 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Patients were grouped according to the upper limit of normal values of LDH, ALP, and GGT. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for selecting prognostic factors from clinical characteristics and serum enzymes, and the chi-square test was applied to analyze the relationships of clinical characteristics and serum enzymes. Finally, a Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the independent prognostic factors. We found that increased levels of LDH had poor effects on both overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival (P = 0.009 and 0.035, respectively), and increased pretreatment level of serum ALP had poor effects on both overall survival and local recurrence-free survival (P = 0.037 and 0.039, respectively). In multivariate analysis, increased LDH level was identified as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. Therefore, we conclude that increased pretreatment serum LDH and ALP levels are poor prognostic factors for NPC.

Diagnostic value of breast mass biopsy in different locating methods / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To explore the value of preoperative diagnosis for breast cancer patients in different locating ways. Methods The tissues were gotten by core needle biopsy from 146 breast cancer patients through different locating ways,and were taken for histopathological examinations and were compared with postoperative pathologic results. Results Seventy-four cases were biopsied with ultrasound-guide (ultrasound-guide group), and 72 cases with free-hand (free-hand group), without serious complications.Compared with postoperative pathologic results,the false negative rate in ultrasound-guide group was 5.41%(4/74);the false negative rate in free-hand group was 18.06% (13/72). The accuracy of the ultrasound-guided biopsy was higher than that in free-hand (U = 13.63,P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions Preoperative ultrasoundguided biopsy and postoperative pathologic examination has no significant difference, with high consistency.The study provides a good basis for selection for clinical work,so as to the more effective guide for the comprehensive treatment of breast cancer patients.

Application of ultrasound locatization during craniocerebral operations / 复旦学报（医学版）

Objective To investigate the application of ultrasound localization during craniocerebral operations. Methods Thirty-one cases with intracranial space occupying lesion were surgically treated with guidance of ultrasound, which was applied to real-time localization while revealing skull, tracing during operation and evaluation of the operation's effect before locking up the skull. Results In our group, 31 cases were checked using ultrasound localization during operation. Ultrasound could level the lesion's size and position, which was in accordance with the result of CT and MRI before operation. With the application of ultrasound localization, the lesion could be probed exactly. Conclusions Ultrasound localization during operation is simple, effective and secure, and is helpful to enhance the accuracy of the craniocerebral operations, reduce the blindly exploration, shorten the operation time, and what is more important, reduce unnecessary tissue damage of normal brain tissue, which obviously possess much clinical utilization.