Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and lung cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) is a common cause of acute respiratory infection and has been hypothesised to cause several chronic diseases, including lung cancer. Numbers studies were conducted to analyse the association between C. pneumoniae infection and risk of lung cancer, but no clear consensus had been found. To assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis was performed. The electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and CNKI were searched; Data were extracted and analysed independently by two investigators. Ultimately, 12 studies, involving 2595 lung cancer cases and 2585 controls from four prospective studies and eight retrospective studies were included. Overall, people exposed to C. pneumoniae infection had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.48 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.32-1.67) for lung cancer risk, relative to those not exposed. C. pneumoniae infection was clearly identified as a risk factor for lung cancer in both prospective studies (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.00-1.36) and retrospective studies (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.79-2.63) and in both IgA ? 16 cutoff group (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06-1.41) and the IgA ? 64 cutoff group (OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.88-2.93). In conclusion, C. pneumoniae infection is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer, higher titre may be a better predictor of lung cancer risk.     

Expression of TIP30 Tumor Suppressor Gene Is Down-Regulated in Human Colorectal Carcinoma

Purpose  

Human TIP30 was initially identified as a candidate metastasis suppressor gene whose expression was down-regulated in human liver, lung, breast, and prostate cancers, and recently the role of this gene was examined in colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the level of TIP30 expression in colorectal carcinoma (CRC).     

Study on a novel copper-containing composite for contraception

Background

The copper-containing intrauterine devices (Cu-IUDs) are being increasingly used worldwide as an effective contraception for family planning. To avoid abnormal bleeding, pain, partial and complete expulsion, which are associated with the burst release of cupric ions during the first few days, a novel cross-linked composite based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) that contained cupric ions, but not metallic copper, was developed by our research team.

Study Design

As a logical extension of our previous work, the corrosion products and release behavior of this composite after immersing in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 1 year were studied by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).

Results

No other new elements, such as P, Cl and Ca, appeared on the surface of the composite, and no Cu₂O was formed after immersing in SBF for 1 year, indicating that the effectiveness of copper can be greatly improved. Furthermore, no significant change on time dependence was found for the release rates of cupric ions in the composite compared with that of metallic copper, suggesting the absent burst release of cupric ions in the composite.

Conclusion

The present in vitro long-term data suggest that this novel copper-containing composite has potential as a substitute for conventional materials used in the manufacture of IUDs.     

缬沙坦对肝硬化患者肝纤维化程度的影响

目的 探讨缬沙坦对肝硬化患者血清TGF-B1、CG和HA浓度的影响作用.方法 36例肝硬化患者随机分为两组:对照组(n=18)和治疗组(n=18).对照组给予常规保肝治疗,治疗组在此基础上加用缬沙坦80 mg/d,疗程为1个月.治疗前后采用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)检测血清TGF-Bl浓度,放射免疫法检测血清CG和HA的浓度.结果 治疗组经缬沙坦治疗后血清TGF.61、CG和HA水平均显著降低(P<0.05);对照组常规治疗后血清TGF一61、CG和HA浓度也有所降低,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);两组治疗前后差值比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 缬沙坦可能通过降低血清TGF.61、CG和HA的水平改善肝硬化患者的肝纤维化程度.     

缬沙坦对肝硬化门静脉高压症患者ET、NO、TNF α浓度的影响及意义

目的 探讨缬沙坦对肝硬化门静脉高压症患者(PHT)ET、NO、TNF-α浓度的影响.方法 36例肝硬化门静脉高压症患者,随机分为两组:对照组和治疗组,每组各18例.对照组给予常规保肝治疗,治疗组在此基础上加用缬沙坦80 mg/d,疗程为1个月.治疗前后采用放射免疫法检测血浆ET、血清TNF-α浓度,硝酸还原酶法检测血清NO浓度.结果 治疗组在加用缬沙坦后,ET、NO、TNF-α均较治疗前明显降低(P<0.05).对照组治疗后ET、NO、TNF-α也有所降低,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).两组治疗前后差值比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05). 结论 缬沙坦可能通过改变血管活性物质的浓度降低肝硬化门静脉压力.     

PFNA与DHS治疗不稳定股骨粗隆间骨折的早期疗效评价

目的评价PFNA、DHS治疗不稳定股骨粗隆间骨折的疗效。方法38例骨折患者中,8例使用PF-NA固定,30例使用DHS固定,并对手术资料、术后并发症和髋关节功能进行临床随访分析。结果PFNA的手术操作时间、术中出血量等较DHS小,但骨折愈合时间与髋关节功能评分差异无显著性。38例患者均无并发症。结论PFNA设计合理,微创操作,出血少,固定牢固,是治疗不稳定型股骨粗隆间骨折的理想方法之一,尤其适用于骨质疏松老年不稳定的股骨粗隆间骨折。     

The benefit of neuronavigation for the treatment of patients with intracerebral cavernous malformations

The objective of this study was to retrospectively investigate the surgical indications, operation methods, and postoperative results of patients with cavernous malformations (CMs) and the use of neuronavigation. Seventy patients with CMs were operated on in our hospital. The initial symptoms were hemorrhage in 31 cases, seizures in 29 cases, focal neurological deficit in 4 cases, and headache in 5 cases. Only one asymptomatic case was incidentally identified by radiological examination. The size of CMs ranged from 5 to 50 mm (mean: 21 mm). The CMs in 39 patients were located within the white matter of the hemispheres, 11 within the basal ganglia or thalamus, 5 within the cerebellum, and 6 in multiple locations. Prior to the operation, five fiducial markers were placed on the scalp and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Data were transferred to the neuronavigation workstation, a profile of tumors was drawn up, and a three-dimensional reconstruction was completed. The foci were separated and resected under a microscope through a sulci and fissures approach. All the lesions were resected totally. No residual foci were found by postoperative computed tomography (CT)/MRI examination, and there was no operative death. The disability rate was 8.6%; four patients had a new transitory neurological deficit within 1 month after the operation, and one patient with thalamic CMs developed facial paralysis. All patients, however, recovered in 6 months. Twenty-four patients with preoperative epilepsy were followed up for 6–24 months (mean: 19.4 months). After the operation, seizures disappeared in 19 patients and symptoms improved in 5. CMs can be determined in patients even if patients are asymptomatic. Surgical treatment should be considered if bleeding occurs. An operation with the guidance of neuronavigation is safe and can decrease the occurrence of disability following the procedure.     

K-19 mRNA RT-PCR in detecting micrometastasis in regional lymph nodes of gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate the value and prospect of RT-PCR in detecting micrometastasis in regional lymph nodes of gastric cancer. METHODS: Histopathology was used and K19 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR in tumor tissues and lymph nodes from gastric cancer patients undergoing radical resection of gastric carcinoma. RESULTS: K19 mRNA was expressed in all tumor specimens of 30 cases; of the 126 lymph nodes, 26 were histopathologically positive (20.6%), and 42 positive (33.3%) by RT-PCR. Amplification fragments of 460 and 540 bp were shown in all the tumor tissues and metastatic lymph nodes after K19 andβ-actin RT-PCR, while only a 540 bp fragment appeared in the lymph nodes of non-tumor patients. CONCLUSION: K19 mRNA RT-PCR is sensitive and specific in testing micrometastasis in regional lymph nodes of gastric cancer, and it is superior to routine histopathology.