OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of the high mobility group boxl(HMGB1) in human cervical squamous epithelial carcinoma (CSEC) and to explore the relationship of HMGB1 expression to the differentiation degr...OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of the high mobility group boxl(HMGB1) in human cervical squamous epithelial carcinoma (CSEC) and to explore the relationship of HMGB1 expression to the differentiation degree, size, invasion and metastasis of CSEC. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays and Western blot analysis were conducted to detect the expression of HMGB1 in the following tissue samples: 30 carcinoma in situ, 90 invasive CSEC without metastasis, 30 invasive CSEC with metastasis, 30 cases of normal cervical squamous epithelia. RESULTS The positive-expression rate of HMGB1 was 58.7% (88/150) in CSEC, showing a significant difference compared to normal cervical squamous epithelia. The expression of HMGB1 was correlated with tumor size, invasion and metastasis of CSEC (respectively, P〈0.01), but had no relationship with the degree of differentiation (P〉0.05). CONCLUSION The over-expression of HMGB1 in CSEC might be a useful parameter as an indication of tumor invasion, metastasis, prognosis and overall biological behavior of human CSEC, as well as a noval target site for gene therapy.展开更多
Unresectable pancreatic cancers have an extremely dismal prognosis and chemoresistant nature. The treatment of pancreatic cancer is still problematic. Gemcitabine is a promising new agent that has been studied recentl...Unresectable pancreatic cancers have an extremely dismal prognosis and chemoresistant nature. The treatment of pancreatic cancer is still problematic. Gemcitabine is a promising new agent that has been studied recently for palliation of advanced pancreatic cancer. However,the response rates have been highly variable,and are often irreproducible. To improve this low response rate,various treatments are needed because no standard treatment exists. Intra-arterial chemotherapy is considered to take advantage of the first pass effect of the drug,generating higher local drug concentrations in tumor cells with lower toxicity. Regional intra-arterial chemotherapy may provide high levels of cytostatic concentrations within the tumor and,simultaneously,a low rate of systemic side effects compared with systemic administration of anti-neoplastic drugs. Intra-arterial chemotherapy has been introduced as an alternative treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer. Further clinical trials of this method should be subjected to a prospective randomized controlled study for advanced pancreatic cancer.展开更多
The clinical management of metastatic (stage IV) colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common challenge faced by surgeons and physicians. The last decade has seen exciting developments in the management of CRC, with signif...The clinical management of metastatic (stage IV) colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common challenge faced by surgeons and physicians. The last decade has seen exciting developments in the management of CRC, with significant improvements in prognosis for patients diagnosed with stage IV disease. Treatment options have expanded from 5-fluorouracil alone to a range of pharmaceutical and interventional therapies, improving survival, and providing a cure in selected cases. Enhanced understanding of the biologic pathways most important in colorectal carcinogenesis has led to a new generation of drugs showing promise in advanced disease. It is hoped that in the near future the treatment paradigm of metastatic CRC will be analogous to that of a chronic illness, rather than a rapidly terminal condition. This overview discusses the epidemiology of advanced CRC and currently available therapeutic options including medical, surgical, ablative and novel modalities in the management of metastatic colorectal cancer.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the association of alcohol dose, duration of drinking and obesity with abnormal alcohol-related liver injury indicators, the prevalence of alcohol-related liver injury in the island population of Ch...AIM:To investigate the association of alcohol dose, duration of drinking and obesity with abnormal alcohol-related liver injury indicators, the prevalence of alcohol-related liver injury in the island population of China.METHODS:Randomized multistage stratified cluster sampling from the island population of China was used in the population-based case-control study. Then interview, physical examination, laboratory assessments and ultrasonography were done. RESULTS:Daily alcohol intake ≥ 20 g, duration of drinking ≥ 5 years and obesity were closely related to alcohol-related liver injury (P < 0.05). The odds-ratio (OR) (95% CI) was 1.965 (1.122-3.442), 3.412 (1.789-6.507) and 1.887 (1.261-2.824), respectively. The prevalence rate of alcohol-related liver injury in ≥ 20 g daily alcohol intake group and < 20 g daily alcohol intake group was 37.14% and 12.06%, respectively. The prevalence rate of alcohol-related liver injury in ≥ 5 years drinking group and < 5 years drinking group was 34.44% and 8.53%, respectively. No significant dose-response relation was found between daily alcohol intake and abnormal alcohol-related liver injury indicators as well as between duration of drinking and abnormal alcohol-related liver injury indicators. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of alcohol-related liver injury between beer drinking group and yellow rice wine drinking group, hard liquor drinking group, multiple drinking group.CONCLUSION:The risk threshold of daily alcohol intake is 20 g and duration of drinking inducing alcohol-related liver injury 5 years in the island population of China. Liver injury induced by obesity should be concerned.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the poor prognosis of HCC with PVTT, we evaluated the efficacy by a new combination chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). METHODS: F...AIM: To investigate the poor prognosis of HCC with PVTT, we evaluated the efficacy by a new combination chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). METHODS: From 2002 to 2007, a total of 10 consecutive patients with Stage IVA HCC accompanied by PVTT were studied prospectively to examine the efficacy of treatment by intra-arterial infusion of a chemotherapeutic agents consisting of etoposide, carboplatin, epirubicin and pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy by 5-FU and enteric-coated tegafur/uracil. RESULTS: The mean course of chemotherapy was 14.4 (range, 9-21) too. One patient showed complete response (CR) with disappearance of HCC and PVI-F after treatment, and the two patients showed partial response (PR), response rate (CR + PR/All cases 30%). The median survival time after the therapy was 457.2 d. The one-year survival rate was 70%. Adverse reactions were tolerable.CONCLUSION: Although the prognosis of most patients with Stage IVA HCC by PVTT is poor, our combination chemotherapy may induces long-term survival and is an effective treatment and produced anti-tumor activity with tolerable adverse effects in patients for advanced Stage IVA HCC accompanied by PVTT.展开更多
AIM: To study the factors that may affect survival of cholangiocarcinoma in Lebanon. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of 55 patients diagnosed with cholangio- carcinoma at the American Universi...AIM: To study the factors that may affect survival of cholangiocarcinoma in Lebanon. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of 55 patients diagnosed with cholangio- carcinoma at the American University of Beirut between 1990 and 2005 was conducted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the impact of surgery, chemotherapy, body mass index, bilirubin level and other factors on survival. RJ^SULTS: The median survival of all patients was 8.57 mo (0.03-105.2). Univariate analysis showed that low bilirubin level (〈 10 mg/dL), radical surgery and chemotherapy administration were significantly associated with better survival (P = 0.012, 0.038 and 0.038, respectively), in subgroup analysis on patients who had no surgery, chemotherapy administration prolonged median survival significantly (17.0 mo vs 3.5 mo, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified only low bilirubin level 〈 10 mg/dL and chemotherapy administration as independent predictors associated with better survival (P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data show that palliative and postoperative chemotherapy as well as a bilirubin level 〈 10 mg/dL are independent predictors of a significant increase in survival in patients with cholangiocarcinoma.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the feasibility of treatment for upper gastrointestinal fistula and leakage with personal stage nutrition support. METHODS: Forty-three patients with upper gastrointestinal fistula and leakage we...AIM: To investigate the feasibility of treatment for upper gastrointestinal fistula and leakage with personal stage nutrition support. METHODS: Forty-three patients with upper gastrointestinal fistula and leakage were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in group A were treated with personal stage nutrition support and patients in group B were treated with total parental nutrition (TPN) in combination with operation. Nutritional states of the candidates were evaluated by detecting albumin (AIb) and pre-AIb. The balance between nutrition and hepatic function was evaluated by measurement of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (Tbill) before and after operation. At the same time their complications and hospitalized time were surveyed. RESULTS: Personal stage nutrition support improved upper gastrointestinal fistula and leakage. The nutrition state and hepatic function were better in patients who received personal stage nutrition support than in those who did not receive TPN. There was no significant difference in the complication and hospitalized time in the two groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Upper gastrointestinal fistula and leakage can be treated with personal stage nutrition support which is more beneficial for the post-operation recovery and more economic than surgical operation.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of transarterial infusion chemotherapy of gemcitabine plus three dimen- sional conformal radiotherapy on patients with local advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: Fifty-one pa...Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of transarterial infusion chemotherapy of gemcitabine plus three dimen- sional conformal radiotherapy on patients with local advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: Fifty-one patients with local ad- vanced pancreatic cancer from June 2002 to February 2004 were enrolled, twenty-four patients of combined group were treat- ed with transarterial infusion chemotherapy of gemcitabine plus three dimensional conformal radiotherapy, while twenty-seven patients of control group were treated only with transarterial infusion chemotherapy of gemcitabine. Results: There were significant statistical differences between two groups in clinical benefit response (91.7% versus 74.1%, P < 0.01) and overall remission rate (70.8% versus 33.3%, P < 0.01). The 6-month survival rate, 12-month survival rate and 24-month survival rate of combined group were 83.3%, 62.5% and 37.5% respectively, while that of control group were 55.6%, 33.3% and 11.1% respectively. This showed significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Transarterial infusion chemotherapy of gemcitabine plus three dimensional conformal radiotherapy may be better than single transarterial infusion chemotherapy of gemcitabine in improving survival rates and elongating survival time of patients with local advanced pancreatic cancer.展开更多
Objective To investigate whether repeated morphine exposure or prolonged withdrawal could influence operant and spatial learning differentially. Methods Animals were chronically treated with morphine or subjected to m...Objective To investigate whether repeated morphine exposure or prolonged withdrawal could influence operant and spatial learning differentially. Methods Animals were chronically treated with morphine or subjected to morphine withdrawal. Then, they were subjected to two kinds of learning: operant conditioning and spatial learning. Results The acquisition of both simple appetitive and cued operant learning was impaired after repeated morphine treatment. Withdrawal for 5 weeks alleviated the impairments. Single morphine exposure disrupted the retrieval of operant memory but had no effect on rats after 5-week withdrawal. Contrarily, neither chronic morphine exposure nor 5-week withdrawal influenced spatial learning task of the Morris water maze. Nevertheless, the retrieval of spatial memory was impaired by repeated morphine exposure but not by 5-week withdrawal. Conclusion These observations suggest that repeated morphine exposure can influence different types of learning at different aspects, implicating that the formation of opiate addiction may usurp memory mechanisms differentially.展开更多
The striking gender disparity observed in the incidence of hepatocellutar carcinoma (HCC) suggests an important role of sex hormones in HCC pathogenesis. Though the studies began as early as in 1980s, the precise ro...The striking gender disparity observed in the incidence of hepatocellutar carcinoma (HCC) suggests an important role of sex hormones in HCC pathogenesis. Though the studies began as early as in 1980s, the precise role of sex hormones and the significance of their receptors in HCC still remain poorly understood and perhaps contribute to current controversies about the potential use of hormonal therapy in HCC. A comprehensive review of the existing literature revealed several shortcomings associated with the studies on estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) in normal liver and HCC. These shortcomings include the use of less sensitive receptor ligand binding assays and immunohistochemistry studies for ERα alone until 1996 when ERβ isoform was identified. The animal models of HCC utilized for studies were primarily based on chemical-induced hepatocarcinogenesis with less similarity to virus-induced HCC pathogenesis. However, recent in vitro studies in hepatoma cells provide newer insights for hormonal regulation of key cellular processes including interaction of ER and AR with viral proteins. In light of the above facts, there is an urgent need for a detailed investigation of sex hormones and their receptors in normal liver and HCC. In this review, we systematically present the information currently available on androgens, estrogens and their receptors in normal liver and HCC obtained from in vitro, in vivo experimental models and clinical studies. This information will direct future basic and clinical research to bridge the gap in knowledge to explore the therapeutic potential of hormonal therapy in HCC.展开更多
Objective: We conducted a prospective phase II trial of single-agent salvage chemotherapy with docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of chemotherapy and gefitinib to a...Objective: We conducted a prospective phase II trial of single-agent salvage chemotherapy with docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of chemotherapy and gefitinib to assess the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel in this setting. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed NSCLC who were failure of chemotherapy and gefitinib were given docetaxel 75 mg/m^2 intravenously for 30 rain every 3 weeks until the toxicity was unacceptable or disease progressed. The response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) guidelines were used for the evaluation of an- titumor activity. Toxicity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 2.0. Results: In total, 31 patients were enrolled in this phase II trial between February 2004 and December 2006, and 84 cycles (average 2.7 cycles) were given. We observed 4 partial responses (PRs) and 10 stable disease (SD) states in 31 eligible patients. The objective response rate was 12.9%, and the disease control rate was 45.2%. The median survival time (MST) was 10 months (95% CI, 5.05-15.08 months). The 1-year survival rate was 40.6%. The most common toxicities were neutropenia, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy that occurred as follows: 45% of the patients experienced grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, 29% experienced grade 3 anemia, and 25.8% had grade 3 peripheral neuropathy. No patient terminated docetaxel chemotherapy due to toxicity. Conclusion: Docetaxel is beneficial as salvage chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC after failure of cytotoxic agents and gefitinib.展开更多
Objective: To observe the physiological and psychological changing of type 2 diabetic patients after practicing Eight-Section Brocade, to evaluate the clinical curative effect, and to provide a safe and effective sel...Objective: To observe the physiological and psychological changing of type 2 diabetic patients after practicing Eight-Section Brocade, to evaluate the clinical curative effect, and to provide a safe and effective self-regulating method for type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: This study is a random controlled trial, the 54 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned into the intervention and the control group. The intervention group was given a 2-month period of Eight-Section Brocade practice, then a comparison between groups was made. The intervention group continued to do Eight-Section Brocade practice for 2 months, so it was 4 months' intervention all together for this group, and then a comparison within the intervention group was made. Results: There was significant difference 4 months later on HbAlc in the intervention group (P〈0.05). There was significant difference between the intervention and control groups on obsessive-compulsive, depression, anxiety and hostility scores after 2 months' practice (P〈0.05). There was significant difference between 2 and 4 months' practice on hostilities scores within the intervention group (P〈0.05). Conclusions: As an important part of the traditional Chinese medicine, Eight-section Brocade has physiological and psycholozical effects on type 2 Diabetic Patients.展开更多
Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the pancreas is rare. It has similar histological features to pulmonary small cell carcinoma and is equally aggressive. Most patients with SCC in the pancreas reported in case studies die...Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the pancreas is rare. It has similar histological features to pulmonary small cell carcinoma and is equally aggressive. Most patients with SCC in the pancreas reported in case studies died within 1 year after diagnosis. We present a case of unusually long-term survival after surgery and combined chemotherapy for SCC of the pancreas. A 62-year-old woman presented with epigastric pain and jaundice. Computed tomography revealed dilated common bile duct caused by external compression of the mass in the pancreatic head. Exploratory laparotomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) was performed with histopathological analysis confirming a primary small cell carcinoma of the pancreas. After an uneventful postoperative recovery, the patient was treated with 6 cycles of combined chemotherapy consisting of cisplantin and ectoposide. During the follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence and the patient has remained in a good health condition for 36 mo since the diagnosis.展开更多
文摘OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of the high mobility group boxl(HMGB1) in human cervical squamous epithelial carcinoma (CSEC) and to explore the relationship of HMGB1 expression to the differentiation degree, size, invasion and metastasis of CSEC. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays and Western blot analysis were conducted to detect the expression of HMGB1 in the following tissue samples: 30 carcinoma in situ, 90 invasive CSEC without metastasis, 30 invasive CSEC with metastasis, 30 cases of normal cervical squamous epithelia. RESULTS The positive-expression rate of HMGB1 was 58.7% (88/150) in CSEC, showing a significant difference compared to normal cervical squamous epithelia. The expression of HMGB1 was correlated with tumor size, invasion and metastasis of CSEC (respectively, P〈0.01), but had no relationship with the degree of differentiation (P〉0.05). CONCLUSION The over-expression of HMGB1 in CSEC might be a useful parameter as an indication of tumor invasion, metastasis, prognosis and overall biological behavior of human CSEC, as well as a noval target site for gene therapy.
文摘Unresectable pancreatic cancers have an extremely dismal prognosis and chemoresistant nature. The treatment of pancreatic cancer is still problematic. Gemcitabine is a promising new agent that has been studied recently for palliation of advanced pancreatic cancer. However,the response rates have been highly variable,and are often irreproducible. To improve this low response rate,various treatments are needed because no standard treatment exists. Intra-arterial chemotherapy is considered to take advantage of the first pass effect of the drug,generating higher local drug concentrations in tumor cells with lower toxicity. Regional intra-arterial chemotherapy may provide high levels of cytostatic concentrations within the tumor and,simultaneously,a low rate of systemic side effects compared with systemic administration of anti-neoplastic drugs. Intra-arterial chemotherapy has been introduced as an alternative treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer. Further clinical trials of this method should be subjected to a prospective randomized controlled study for advanced pancreatic cancer.
文摘The clinical management of metastatic (stage IV) colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common challenge faced by surgeons and physicians. The last decade has seen exciting developments in the management of CRC, with significant improvements in prognosis for patients diagnosed with stage IV disease. Treatment options have expanded from 5-fluorouracil alone to a range of pharmaceutical and interventional therapies, improving survival, and providing a cure in selected cases. Enhanced understanding of the biologic pathways most important in colorectal carcinogenesis has led to a new generation of drugs showing promise in advanced disease. It is hoped that in the near future the treatment paradigm of metastatic CRC will be analogous to that of a chronic illness, rather than a rapidly terminal condition. This overview discusses the epidemiology of advanced CRC and currently available therapeutic options including medical, surgical, ablative and novel modalities in the management of metastatic colorectal cancer.
文摘AIM:To investigate the association of alcohol dose, duration of drinking and obesity with abnormal alcohol-related liver injury indicators, the prevalence of alcohol-related liver injury in the island population of China.METHODS:Randomized multistage stratified cluster sampling from the island population of China was used in the population-based case-control study. Then interview, physical examination, laboratory assessments and ultrasonography were done. RESULTS:Daily alcohol intake ≥ 20 g, duration of drinking ≥ 5 years and obesity were closely related to alcohol-related liver injury (P < 0.05). The odds-ratio (OR) (95% CI) was 1.965 (1.122-3.442), 3.412 (1.789-6.507) and 1.887 (1.261-2.824), respectively. The prevalence rate of alcohol-related liver injury in ≥ 20 g daily alcohol intake group and < 20 g daily alcohol intake group was 37.14% and 12.06%, respectively. The prevalence rate of alcohol-related liver injury in ≥ 5 years drinking group and < 5 years drinking group was 34.44% and 8.53%, respectively. No significant dose-response relation was found between daily alcohol intake and abnormal alcohol-related liver injury indicators as well as between duration of drinking and abnormal alcohol-related liver injury indicators. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of alcohol-related liver injury between beer drinking group and yellow rice wine drinking group, hard liquor drinking group, multiple drinking group.CONCLUSION:The risk threshold of daily alcohol intake is 20 g and duration of drinking inducing alcohol-related liver injury 5 years in the island population of China. Liver injury induced by obesity should be concerned.
文摘AIM: To investigate the poor prognosis of HCC with PVTT, we evaluated the efficacy by a new combination chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). METHODS: From 2002 to 2007, a total of 10 consecutive patients with Stage IVA HCC accompanied by PVTT were studied prospectively to examine the efficacy of treatment by intra-arterial infusion of a chemotherapeutic agents consisting of etoposide, carboplatin, epirubicin and pharmacokinetic modulating chemotherapy by 5-FU and enteric-coated tegafur/uracil. RESULTS: The mean course of chemotherapy was 14.4 (range, 9-21) too. One patient showed complete response (CR) with disappearance of HCC and PVI-F after treatment, and the two patients showed partial response (PR), response rate (CR + PR/All cases 30%). The median survival time after the therapy was 457.2 d. The one-year survival rate was 70%. Adverse reactions were tolerable.CONCLUSION: Although the prognosis of most patients with Stage IVA HCC by PVTT is poor, our combination chemotherapy may induces long-term survival and is an effective treatment and produced anti-tumor activity with tolerable adverse effects in patients for advanced Stage IVA HCC accompanied by PVTT.
文摘AIM: To study the factors that may affect survival of cholangiocarcinoma in Lebanon. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of 55 patients diagnosed with cholangio- carcinoma at the American University of Beirut between 1990 and 2005 was conducted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the impact of surgery, chemotherapy, body mass index, bilirubin level and other factors on survival. RJ^SULTS: The median survival of all patients was 8.57 mo (0.03-105.2). Univariate analysis showed that low bilirubin level (〈 10 mg/dL), radical surgery and chemotherapy administration were significantly associated with better survival (P = 0.012, 0.038 and 0.038, respectively), in subgroup analysis on patients who had no surgery, chemotherapy administration prolonged median survival significantly (17.0 mo vs 3.5 mo, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified only low bilirubin level 〈 10 mg/dL and chemotherapy administration as independent predictors associated with better survival (P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data show that palliative and postoperative chemotherapy as well as a bilirubin level 〈 10 mg/dL are independent predictors of a significant increase in survival in patients with cholangiocarcinoma.
文摘AIM: To investigate the feasibility of treatment for upper gastrointestinal fistula and leakage with personal stage nutrition support. METHODS: Forty-three patients with upper gastrointestinal fistula and leakage were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in group A were treated with personal stage nutrition support and patients in group B were treated with total parental nutrition (TPN) in combination with operation. Nutritional states of the candidates were evaluated by detecting albumin (AIb) and pre-AIb. The balance between nutrition and hepatic function was evaluated by measurement of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (Tbill) before and after operation. At the same time their complications and hospitalized time were surveyed. RESULTS: Personal stage nutrition support improved upper gastrointestinal fistula and leakage. The nutrition state and hepatic function were better in patients who received personal stage nutrition support than in those who did not receive TPN. There was no significant difference in the complication and hospitalized time in the two groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Upper gastrointestinal fistula and leakage can be treated with personal stage nutrition support which is more beneficial for the post-operation recovery and more economic than surgical operation.
文摘Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of transarterial infusion chemotherapy of gemcitabine plus three dimen- sional conformal radiotherapy on patients with local advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: Fifty-one patients with local ad- vanced pancreatic cancer from June 2002 to February 2004 were enrolled, twenty-four patients of combined group were treat- ed with transarterial infusion chemotherapy of gemcitabine plus three dimensional conformal radiotherapy, while twenty-seven patients of control group were treated only with transarterial infusion chemotherapy of gemcitabine. Results: There were significant statistical differences between two groups in clinical benefit response (91.7% versus 74.1%, P < 0.01) and overall remission rate (70.8% versus 33.3%, P < 0.01). The 6-month survival rate, 12-month survival rate and 24-month survival rate of combined group were 83.3%, 62.5% and 37.5% respectively, while that of control group were 55.6%, 33.3% and 11.1% respectively. This showed significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Transarterial infusion chemotherapy of gemcitabine plus three dimensional conformal radiotherapy may be better than single transarterial infusion chemotherapy of gemcitabine in improving survival rates and elongating survival time of patients with local advanced pancreatic cancer.
基金This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30470549)the National Basic Research Priorities Programme (973) of China (No.2006CBS00800)
文摘Objective To investigate whether repeated morphine exposure or prolonged withdrawal could influence operant and spatial learning differentially. Methods Animals were chronically treated with morphine or subjected to morphine withdrawal. Then, they were subjected to two kinds of learning: operant conditioning and spatial learning. Results The acquisition of both simple appetitive and cued operant learning was impaired after repeated morphine treatment. Withdrawal for 5 weeks alleviated the impairments. Single morphine exposure disrupted the retrieval of operant memory but had no effect on rats after 5-week withdrawal. Contrarily, neither chronic morphine exposure nor 5-week withdrawal influenced spatial learning task of the Morris water maze. Nevertheless, the retrieval of spatial memory was impaired by repeated morphine exposure but not by 5-week withdrawal. Conclusion These observations suggest that repeated morphine exposure can influence different types of learning at different aspects, implicating that the formation of opiate addiction may usurp memory mechanisms differentially.
文摘The striking gender disparity observed in the incidence of hepatocellutar carcinoma (HCC) suggests an important role of sex hormones in HCC pathogenesis. Though the studies began as early as in 1980s, the precise role of sex hormones and the significance of their receptors in HCC still remain poorly understood and perhaps contribute to current controversies about the potential use of hormonal therapy in HCC. A comprehensive review of the existing literature revealed several shortcomings associated with the studies on estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) in normal liver and HCC. These shortcomings include the use of less sensitive receptor ligand binding assays and immunohistochemistry studies for ERα alone until 1996 when ERβ isoform was identified. The animal models of HCC utilized for studies were primarily based on chemical-induced hepatocarcinogenesis with less similarity to virus-induced HCC pathogenesis. However, recent in vitro studies in hepatoma cells provide newer insights for hormonal regulation of key cellular processes including interaction of ER and AR with viral proteins. In light of the above facts, there is an urgent need for a detailed investigation of sex hormones and their receptors in normal liver and HCC. In this review, we systematically present the information currently available on androgens, estrogens and their receptors in normal liver and HCC obtained from in vitro, in vivo experimental models and clinical studies. This information will direct future basic and clinical research to bridge the gap in knowledge to explore the therapeutic potential of hormonal therapy in HCC.
基金the Chinese State Key Program for Basic Research (No. 2002BA711A08)the Foundation of Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau (No. 2001-Z-044-01)the Guangdong Provincial Department of Health, China (No. 2004-199- 25)
文摘Objective: We conducted a prospective phase II trial of single-agent salvage chemotherapy with docetaxel in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of chemotherapy and gefitinib to assess the efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel in this setting. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed NSCLC who were failure of chemotherapy and gefitinib were given docetaxel 75 mg/m^2 intravenously for 30 rain every 3 weeks until the toxicity was unacceptable or disease progressed. The response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) guidelines were used for the evaluation of an- titumor activity. Toxicity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 2.0. Results: In total, 31 patients were enrolled in this phase II trial between February 2004 and December 2006, and 84 cycles (average 2.7 cycles) were given. We observed 4 partial responses (PRs) and 10 stable disease (SD) states in 31 eligible patients. The objective response rate was 12.9%, and the disease control rate was 45.2%. The median survival time (MST) was 10 months (95% CI, 5.05-15.08 months). The 1-year survival rate was 40.6%. The most common toxicities were neutropenia, anemia, and peripheral neuropathy that occurred as follows: 45% of the patients experienced grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, 29% experienced grade 3 anemia, and 25.8% had grade 3 peripheral neuropathy. No patient terminated docetaxel chemotherapy due to toxicity. Conclusion: Docetaxel is beneficial as salvage chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC after failure of cytotoxic agents and gefitinib.
文摘Objective: To observe the physiological and psychological changing of type 2 diabetic patients after practicing Eight-Section Brocade, to evaluate the clinical curative effect, and to provide a safe and effective self-regulating method for type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: This study is a random controlled trial, the 54 type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned into the intervention and the control group. The intervention group was given a 2-month period of Eight-Section Brocade practice, then a comparison between groups was made. The intervention group continued to do Eight-Section Brocade practice for 2 months, so it was 4 months' intervention all together for this group, and then a comparison within the intervention group was made. Results: There was significant difference 4 months later on HbAlc in the intervention group (P〈0.05). There was significant difference between the intervention and control groups on obsessive-compulsive, depression, anxiety and hostility scores after 2 months' practice (P〈0.05). There was significant difference between 2 and 4 months' practice on hostilities scores within the intervention group (P〈0.05). Conclusions: As an important part of the traditional Chinese medicine, Eight-section Brocade has physiological and psycholozical effects on type 2 Diabetic Patients.
文摘Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the pancreas is rare. It has similar histological features to pulmonary small cell carcinoma and is equally aggressive. Most patients with SCC in the pancreas reported in case studies died within 1 year after diagnosis. We present a case of unusually long-term survival after surgery and combined chemotherapy for SCC of the pancreas. A 62-year-old woman presented with epigastric pain and jaundice. Computed tomography revealed dilated common bile duct caused by external compression of the mass in the pancreatic head. Exploratory laparotomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) was performed with histopathological analysis confirming a primary small cell carcinoma of the pancreas. After an uneventful postoperative recovery, the patient was treated with 6 cycles of combined chemotherapy consisting of cisplantin and ectoposide. During the follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence and the patient has remained in a good health condition for 36 mo since the diagnosis.