Efficacy of docetaxel combined with oxaliplatin and fluorouracil against stage III/IV gastric cancer.

AIM: To investigate the clinical efficacy and toxic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy using docetaxel combined with oxaliplatin and fluorouracil for treating stage III/IV gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 53 stage III/IV gastric cancer patients were enrolled into the study and treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Two of the cases were excluded. The program was as follows: 75 mg/m(2) docetaxel and 85 mg/m(2) oxaliplatin on day 1 and 1500 mg/m(2) fluorouracil on days 1 to 3 for three weeks. RESULTS: The tumour changes, postoperative remission rate, changes in the symptoms and adverse reactions were observed. The overall clinical efficacy (complete remission + partial remission) of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 62.7%. R0 radical resection was performed on 60.8% of the patients, with a remission rate (pathological complete response + pathological subtotal response + pathological partial response) of 74.2%. The Karnofksy score improved in 42 cases. The toxicity reactions mostly included myelosuppression, followed by gastrointestinal mucosal lesions, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel combined with oxaliplatin and fluorouracil is effective for stage III/IV gastric cancer. However, the treatment is associated with a high incidence of bone marrow suppression, which should be managed clinically.

[Propofol target controlled infusion plus a low concentration of sevoflurane inhalation induction anesthesia for the removal of foreign body from tracheobronchus in children].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of propofol target controlled infusion (TCI) plus a low concentration of sevoflurane inhalation induction for the removal of tracheobronchial foreign body in children. METHODS: After the approval of the hospital ethics committee, a total of 90 patients, aged 9 - 36 months old and weighted 8 - 17 kg, were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A, group B and group C. Propofol TCI plus a low concentration of sevoflurane inhalation induction was administered in group A while ketamine or fentanyl plus propofol TCI in group B or C respectively. Effects of anesthesia, complications and recovery durations were observed. RESULTS: The incidence of severe breathholding and bucking during inserting bronchoscope was 1 case in group A, 7 in group B and 5 in group C. There were significant differences between groups A and B (P < 0.05). The minimal intra-operative SpO2 in group B or group C was lower than that in group A (P < 0.01). The cases for intra-operative SpO2 < 95% in group B or group C were more than that in group A (P < 0.01). And the maximal target concentration of propofol was significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.01). Ten cases in group B had laryngeal stridor and dyspnea during inspirations post-operatively and occurred more frequently than those in group A or C (P < 0.01). As compared with group A and C, post-operative staying lengths and recovery durations were significantly longer in those in group B (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Propofol TCI plus a low concentration of sevoflurane inhalation induction is both safe and practical for the controlled removal of tracheobronchial foreign body in children.

[Skeletal biomechanical effectiveness of retinoic acid on induction of osteoporotic rats treated by alendronate and qianggu capsules].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of retinoic acid on induction of osteoporotic rats treated by either alendronate or qianggu capsules and co-administration. METHODS: Sixty-five female SD rats were treated with retinoic acid 80 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) by gastric lavage for 15 days. Then 5 rats were confirmed cases of osteoporosis and the remaining 60 were randomly divided into 4 groups 15 each: (1) control group with NS 8 ml x kg(-1) x w(-1); (2) alendronate group with alendronate 40 mg x kg(-1) x w(-1); (3) qianggu group with qianggu capsules 90 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1); (4) co-medicated group with alendronate 40 mg x kg(-1) x w(-1) and qianggu capsules 90 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). Five rats in each group were sacrificed at week 2, 4 and 6 respectively to carry out the biomechanic tests, histopathologic examination and bony callus volume calculation. RESULTS: Biomechanical properties of femur changed significantly after the treatment by alendronate or qianggu capsules and co-medication as compared with that of NS after 4 weeks (P < 0.05); the bony callus were larger when treated by alendronate (P < 0.05) and smaller by qianggu capsules (P > 0.05); the bone trabecula formed and rebuilding were slower by alendronate and quicker by qianggu capsules. CONCLUSION: Alendronate or qianggu capsules and co-medication can improve biomechanical properties of femur by retinoic acid on induction of osteoporotic rats. Qianggu capsules can improve bone union.

Assay of gastrin and somatostatin in gastric antrum tissues of children with chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer.

AIM: To study the expressions of gastrin (GAS) and somatostatin (SS) in gastric antrum tissues of children with chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer and their role in pathogenic mechanism. METHODS: Specimens of gastric antrum mucosa from 83 children were retrospectively analyzed. Expressions of GAS and SS in gastric antrum tissues were assayed by the immunohistochemical En Vision method. RESULTS: The expressions of GAS in chronic gastritis Hp+ group (group A), chronic gastritis Hp-group (group B), the duodenal ulcer Hp+group (group C), duodenal ulcer Hp-group (group D), and normal control group (group E) were 28.50+4.55, 19.60+2.49, 22.69+2.71, 25.33+4.76, and 18.80+2.36, respectively. The value in groups A-D was higher than that in group E. The difference was not statistically significant. The expressions of SS in groups A-E were 15.47+1.44, 17.29+2.04, 15.30+1.38, 13.11+0.93 and 12.14+1.68, respectively. The value in groups A-D was higher than that in group E. The difference was also not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The expressions of GAS and SS are increased in children with chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer.