Lung Cancer and COPD: a Common Combination

Background and objectiveTo analyse frequency, characteristics and patient survival with lung cancer (LC) and Common Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), comparing them with patients that do not have COPD.Material and methodsA retrospective study, of patients diagnosed by means of cytohistology. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 15.0.ResultsA total of 996 patients were diagnosed, 39.8% with COPD. Mean age70±9.19 years. GOLD stages: I 18.2%, II 53.6%, III 24%, IV 4.2%. The histological types: squamous cell carcinoma 48.2%, adenocarcinoma 22%, and small cell carcinoma 22.5%. Survival was longer in the COPD group.ConclusionsLC and COPD are combined in 39.8%. Squamous cell type is more frequent and survival was longer in the COPD group.     

RNA interference screening in ticks for identification of protective antigens

Ticks are ectoparasites of wild and domestic animals and humans, and are considered to be the most important arthropod vector of pathogens in North America. Development of vaccines directed against tick proteins may effect reduction of tick infestations and transmission of tick-borne pathogens. The limiting step for the development of tick vaccines has been the identification of tick protective antigens. Reverse vaccinology approaches aimed at reducing animal experimentation while allowing for the rapid screening of pools of potential tick vaccine candidates would greatly facilitate progress towards the development of tick vaccines. Herein, we describe the screening of Ixodes scapularis cDNAs for identification of tick protective antigens using RNA interference (RNAi). The results of the RNAi screening were similar to those obtained previously using expression library immunization and demonstrated that RNAi could serve as a more rapid and cost-effective tool for vaccine antigen discovery in ticks and in other nonmodel organisms.     

Pressure changes in the pneumoballoon of several endotracheal tubes after the administration of nitrous oxide]

We compare the degree of nitrous oxide diffusion in three types of endotracheal tubes available in the market, by means of continuous monitoring of the pressure attained at the pneumoballoon. Among the systems designed to impede or to minimize nitrous oxide diffusion, we have used in this study the so called "rediffusion system". When the endotracheal tube possesses this system, the pressure attained at the pneumoballoon remained constant throughout the study period (23.2 +/- 0.53 mmHg at time zero vs 24.2 +/- 0.66 mmHg 50 min after administration of protoxide). In contrast, endotracheal tubes without "rediffusion system" showed a statistically significant increase (p less than 0.05) of pneumoballoon pressure (25.2 +/- 2.43 mmHg and 26.7 +/- 1.01 mmHg at time zero vs 45.2 +/- 3.12 and 44.3 +/- 2.41 mmHg 50 min after protoxide administration in the two other types of endotracheal tubes). We believe that during anesthesia with nitrous oxide the pneumoballoon pressure should be monitored or systems that avoid diffusion of this inhalational agent should be inserted. Our results indicate that endotracheal tubes equiped with "rediffusion system" are effective in impeding diffusion of the inhalational agents.     

Positive selection of protective variants for type 2 diabetes from the Neolithic onward: a case study in Central Asia

The high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and its uneven distribution among human populations is both a major public health concern and a puzzle in evolutionary biology. Why is this deleterious disease so common, while the associated genetic variants should be removed by natural selection? The ‘thrifty genotype'' hypothesis proposed that the causal genetic variants were advantageous and selected for during the majority of human evolution. It remains, however, unclear whether genetic data support this scenario. In this study, we characterized patterns of selection at 10 variants associated with type 2 diabetes, contrasting one herder and one farmer population from Central Asia. We aimed at identifying which alleles (risk or protective) are under selection, dating the timing of selective events, and investigating the effect of lifestyle on selective patterns. We did not find any evidence of selection on risk variants, as predicted by the thrifty genotype hypothesis. Instead, we identified clear signatures of selection on protective variants, in both populations, dating from the beginning of the Neolithic, which suggests that this major transition was accompanied by a selective advantage for non-thrifty variants. Combining our results with worldwide data further suggests that East Asia was particularly prone to such recent selection of protective haplotypes. As much effort has been devoted so far to searching for thrifty variants, we argue that more attention should be paid to the evolution of non-thrifty variants.     

Comparing Operative Exposures of the Le Fort I Osteotomy and the Expanded Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Clivus

Objectives We compare surgical exposures to the clivus by Le Fort I osteotomy (LFO) and the expanded endoscopic endonasal approach (EEEA). Methods Ten cadaveric specimens were imaged with 1.25-mm computed tomography. After stereotactic navigation, EEEA was performed followed by LFO. Clival measurements included lateral and vertical limits to the midline lower extent of exposure (t test). Results For EEFA and LFO, respectively, maximal lateral exposure in millimeters (mean ± standard deviation) was 24.5 ± 3.7 and 24.5 ±  − 3.8 (p = 0.99) at the opticocarotid recess (OCR) and 25.1 ±  − 4.1 and 24.1 ±  − 3.0 (p = 0.53) at the foramen lacerum level; lateral reach at the hypoglossal canals was 39.0 ±  − 5.88 and 56.1 ±   − 5.3 (p = 0.0004); and vertical extension was 56.0 ±  − 4.1 and 56.3 ±  − 3.4 (p = 0.78). Conclusions For clival exposures, LFO and EEEA were similar craniocaudally and laterally at the levels of the OCR and foramen lacerum. LFO achieved greater exposure at the level of the hypoglossal canal.     

A multicentre observational study of the effectiveness,safety and economic impact of nivolumab on non-small-cell lung cancer in real clinical practice

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - Background Immunotherapy has become a standard treatment for lung cancer; however, the high cost makes it necessary to assess health outcomes. Objective...     

Asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of chiral 1-alkyl-1,2-diphospholes with diphenyldiazomethane

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of chiral 1-alkyl-1,2-diphosphacyclopenta-2,4-dienes ((1-(−)-menthyl)oxymethyl-1,2-diphosphole and 1-(+)-neomenthyl-1,2-diphosphole) with diphenyldiazomethane leads to novel P-chiral bicyclic phosphiranes having six chiral centers. The degree of diastereoselectivity depends on the substituent at phosphorus, and dramatically increases in the case of (+)-neomenthyl group (de up to 71%). DFT calculations indicate that the cycloaddition is thermodynamically controlled.

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of chiral 1-alkyl-1,2-diphosphacyclopenta-2,4-dienes with diphenyldiazomethane leads to novel P-chiral bicyclic phosphiranes having six chiral centers.     

苦玄参转录组EST-SSR引物开发及群体遗传多样性分析

目的研究18个苦玄参种群的遗传多样性及亲缘关系,为苦玄参的资源评价及开发利用提供依据。方法采用EST-SSR引物开发技术,利用SSR分子标记,分析18个种群的遗传多样性,并基于遗传距离对其进行聚类分析,明确各种群间的亲缘关系。结果从100对EST-SSR标记中,筛选出具有多态性的引物48对。随机抽取20对具有多态性的引物对18个种群进行扩增,共扩增出71个等位基因,平均每对引物3.55个。各引物间多态位点百分数(P)为0～40.7%,平均19.9%;多态信息含量(PIC)为0～0.794 1,平均0.397 7;Shannon信息指数(I)为0～1.814 3,平均0.808 4。观测杂合度(Obs_Het)为0～0.442 3,平均值0.212 7;预期杂合度(Exp_Het)变化范围0～0.826 9,平均值0.455 8。18个种群群内近交系数(Fis)值为-0.095 3～0.663 9,平均0.159 2;总群体内亚群间近交系数(Fit)值为0.062 6～0.858 7,平均0.537 2;遗传分化系数(Fst)为0～0.686,平均0.449 6。基因流(Nm)在0.114 4～0.759 4,平均值为0.306 1。各种群基因多样性指数(Nei)为0～0.401 6、I为0～0.620 9,广西梧州最高,云南普洱龙潭乡最低。云南景洪勐龙镇和云南景洪景哈乡遗传距离最近,仅0.031 9;广西龙州和云南勐海县打洛镇遗传距离最大,为0.963 8。在遗传距离0.321 3处,可将18个种群分成4个群体,其中广西3个种群归入同一群体,云南勐满镇、勐伦镇及勐遮镇归为同一个群体,第3个群体为云南勐海县勐宋乡,其余种群归入第4个群体。结论 18个种群遗传分化水平不一致,各种群杂合度差异较大。种群间Nm较小,群体基因交换不大;群体内存在一定的近交率,种群亲缘关系受地理隔离影响较大。     

三七片DNA条形码分子鉴定及方法学考察

目的为研究DNA条形码技术在中成药鉴定中的应用,以三七片为研究对象,对方法的适用性、专属性与精密度进行考察。方法收集15批次市售三七片样品,考察三七片DNA提取条件,并对"中药材DNA条形码分子鉴定法指导原则"中PCR扩增、序列获得、结果判定等方法适用性进行确认;收集三七、人参、西洋参,制作三七片及其掺伪品,考察方法的专属性和重现性。结果三七片取样量100 mg,56℃水浴8 h所获得DNA的质量浓度平均值为60.7 ng/μL,PCR扩增、序列获得和结果判定均可获成功;三七、人参和西洋参的ITS2序列长度均为230bp,三七与人参、三七与西洋参的序列间均存在7个稳定的SNP位点,自制三七片和掺伪三七片均可成功获得ITS2序列,不同比例三七与人参、三七与西洋参的测序峰图在SNP位点处呈现相应峰高比的SNP套峰具备专属性;重复性、中间精密度和重现性考察符合《中国药典》2015年版(通则9101)相关要求。结论 ITS2序列作为DNA条形码能够稳定、准确鉴定三七片的原料药材,具备良好的专属性和精密度,三七片DNA条形码分子鉴定法将为保障三七片临床用药安全提供新的技术手段,并对《中国药典》其他收载单方制剂的鉴定提供参考。