TK1 overexpression is associated with the poor outcomes of lung cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: The study aimed to unveil the effect of TK1 expression on the clinicopathological significance and prognosis in patients with lung cancer. Results & methodology: Studies for meta-analysis were selected according to a thorough literature search in databases (PubMed, EMBASE and Chinese databases). Ten studies containing 1393 lung cancer patients were investigated in our analysis. The TK1 overexpression was associated with poorer overall survival(OS) in lung cancer patients (hazard ratio = 1.881; 95% CI:1.318-2.684, Z = 3.48; p = 0.001). Furthermore, The TK1 expression is associated with the clinicopathological features of lung cancer patients (tumor type, age, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and tumor, node, metastasis [TNM] stages).  Discussion & conclusion: The TK1 expression might have a supportive implication in assessing biological behavior and prognosis of lung cancer patients.

Low-cost biportal endoscopic surgery for primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND: Like many other countries, including the United States, China faces the problem of rising health care costs, which have become a heavy burden on the state and individuals. Endoscopic surgery offers many benefits. However, the need for more expensive endoscopic consumables brings further high medical costs. Therefore, the development of video-assisted thoracic surgery with no disposable consumables will help to control medical cost escalation. METHODS: Between October 2011 and September 2014, a series of 66 patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax underwent hand ligation of blebs under biportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or bullectomy with stapler during triportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. After treatment of blebs, pleural abrasion was performed with an electrocautery cleaning pad. RESULTS: Compared with the group treated by bullectomy with stapler, we found a significant reduction in postoperative costs in the group with bleb ligation. There was no difference in operating time, chest tube drainage, and postoperative stay between the two groups. The follow-up period varied from 1 to 35 months and six cases of recurrence were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The technique that we described appears to offer better economic results than bullectomy with a stapler under three-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for treating primary spontaneous. The clinical outcomes are similar.

[Survey on the epidemic characteristics of suicidal tendency among middle-school students in cities].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the epidemical characteristics of suicidal tendency among middle-school students in cities of China and to explore the main factors leading to suicidal tendency in adolescents. METHODS: Multi-stage cluster sampling method was used to select 9015 students in grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively from 25 general middle schools in Beijing, Hangzhou, Wuhan and Urumqi of China in June 2006 and field investigation was carried out through "China Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) Questionnaire". RESULTS: Among the students in the four cities, the incidence rates of suicidal ideation were from 14.4% to 20.8% with an average of 17.4%. The incidence rates of suicidal plan were from 6.8% to 9.7% with an average of 8.2% and were different among cities. 15.0% of the boys had suicidal ideation and 6.7% of them made a suicidal plan comparing to 19.7% of girls having had suicidal ideation and 9.5% of them made a suicidal plan. The two kinds of suicidal tendency in girls were all higher than those in boys. City, age, gender, grade, days and type of being bullied, depression, close friends and having received health education on coping with stresses were factors influencing suicidal tendency of students. Days of being bullied and suicidal tendency showed a dose-response relation. CONCLUSION: Suicidal tendency seemed common in middle-school students. Training on 'coping the issue' should be strengthened and harmonious environment should be improved in middle-schools.

[Study on reproductive and developmental toxicity of the pregnant mice and their foetus co-administered by p, p'-DDE and beta-BHC].

OBJECTIVE: To explore effects of p, p'-DDE and beta-BHC on reproduction and development in mice. METHODS: The pregnant Kunming SPF mice of 12 to 14 days were co-administered by oral gavage for 3 days at different concentrations of 0, 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg bw of p, p'-DDE and beta-BHC. The concentrations of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) in sera of the dosed mice were determined by the Serozyme kits (Bio-Ekon biotechnology Co., Beijing, China), following the procedures described by the manufacturer. RT-PCR was employed to detect abundant expression of alpha-estrogen receptor (alpha-ER) gonadtropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) mRNA in placentae. RESULTS: (1) Reproductive effects: with increase of the administered p,p'-DDE and P-BHC,the organ coefficient of uterus and its intraluminal fluid increased, the unterine nidation quantity decreased, the anogenital distance (AGD) and ratio of female to male raised, the concentration of estradiol and progesterone in sera of the dosed mice went up, and the abundant expression of alpha-ER and GnRH mRNA rised while beta-EP dropped in placentae in a dose-dependant manner. Significant difference of these indexes were found between the treat groups and control (P < 0.05). (2) Developmental effects: with increase of the administered p,p'-DDE and beta-BHC, the gained weights of pregnant mice reduced, organ coefficient of liver increased,the quantity of live foetus decreased, the times of adverse pregnancy outcome went up, and the percent of female foetus increased. They all presented a dose-effect relation and significance of difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: p, p'-DDE and beta-BHC disrupt reproductive function, thereby result in dysreproduction and maldevelopment, and unbalance of ratio of female to male.