A new strategy for the treatment of heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer: A case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the most common type of cancers worldwide and remains a critical health issue. Although there are numerous treatment options for advanced metastatic breast cancer, the results are not satisfactory, particularly for triple-negative breast cancer. New treatment modalities need to be explored. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a breast cancer patient with multiple metastases who achieved a good response and tolerance to the combination treatment of utidelone plus capecitabine. After being treated with 10 cycles of combined treatment, the patient is now in a good general condition with a progression-free survival time of 10 months. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of utidelone plus capecitabine successfully treating a patient with heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer. This combined treatment offers a new option for patients with multi-drug resistant breast cancer.

A clinical study on the treatment of granulomatous lobular mastitis by the external application of the internal pus-expelling decoction and operation.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the external application of internal expulsion pus-expelling decoction (IEPED) combined with surgery in the treatment of granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM). METHODS: A total of 110 patients in our hospital with sepsis GLM were randomly divided into two groups: treatment group (n=60, the wound was treated with IEPED) and control group (n=50, the wound was not treated with IEPED). We assessed the recurrence, contra lateral breast form, and aesthetic evaluation of the patients in the two groups. RESULTS: The total effective rates in the patients in the treatment group and the control group were 90% and 68%, respectively, after the preoperative pretreatment and before radical surgery (P<0.05). After 10 days of receiving the debridement treatment, the two groups were compared in term of physical signs scores and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Within one year of the regular follow-up after treatment, 0 case recurred in the treatment group and 1 case recurred in the control group (P>0.05). In the treatment group, 30 cases showed excellent results in the aesthetic evaluation of breast appearance, 18 cases were good, and the overall excellent and good rate was up to 80%. In the control group, 12 cases showed excellent results and 16 cases showed good results, with the overall excellent and good rate reaching 56% (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with abscess debridement of GLM, the external application of IEPED can significantly reduce the primary lesion of patients with abscess GLM, reduce the surgical resection area, and maximize the preservation of the patients' breast appearance.

[Study on Outliers Influence in NIR Quantitative Analysis Model].

As a secondary analysis method, reproducibility and reliability of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) quantitative analysis are quite dependent on modelling process. In this paper, it is focused on outlier analysis for protein quantitative model of wheat based on NIRS. The purpose is to discuss the outlier effect in modelling process of complex sample set. The indicator of outliers is the deviation between two interpretative percentage curves in partial least squares regression (PLSR) modelling, when two percentage curves have significant deviation or departure point, the sample set should include the outliers. The innovative research work is the analysis and treatment of outliers. On the basis of sub-model ergodic calculation method, outliers can be gradually identified and picked-up. The standard deviation of model's prediction residual is used as the reference graduation to distinguish the degree of deviation. According to the degree of deviation from sample population, outliers can also be divided into significant outliers, relative outliers and potential outliers. In this paper, the significant outliers of the sample set are about 7.8%, and the relative outliers are about 15.6%. The outliers will pull normal samples apart from the ideal fitting line and make the dispersity increase. No matter modelling with removed outliers or weighted samples, the purpose is to make the fitting results of quantitative analysis modelling more inclined to majority samples, while reducing or eliminating the impact of outliers.

[VMTBB-Based Spectral Radiometric Calibration of NIR Fiber Coupled Spectrometer].

The medium temperature black body (MTBB) is conventional high precision equipment used as spectral radiometric scale in infrared spectral region. However, in near-infrared (NIR) spectral region, there are few papers about spectral radiometric calibration by using MTBB, that is because NIR spectral region is the borderland of its effective spectral region. The main research of this paper is spectral radiometric calibration method by using MTBB in NIR spectral region. Accordingly, this paper is devoted mostly to a discussion of how the calibration precision could be affected by selecting different structural parameters of calibration model. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of research and provide technical reference for improving the traceability in NIR spectral radiometric calibration. In this paper, a NIR fiber coupled spectrometer, whose wavelength range covers from 950 to 1700 nm, has been calibrated by a MTBB with adjustable temperature range from 50 to 1050 °C. Concentrating on calibration process, two key points have been discussed. For one thing, the geometric factors of radiation transfer model of the calibration systems have been compared between traditional structure and fiber direct-coupled structure. Because the fiber direct-coupled model is simple and effective, it has been selected instead of traditional model based on the radiation transfer between two coaxial discs. So, it is an advantaged radiation transfer model for radiometric calibration of fiber coupled spectrometer. For another thing, the relation between calibration accuracy and structural parameters of calibration model has been analyzed intensively. The root cause is scale feature of attribute of calibration data itself, which is the nonlinear structure in scales of spectral data. So, the high precision calibration needs nonlinear calibration model, and the uniform sampling for scale feature is also very important. Selecting sample is an inevitable problem when the nonlinear model is explained by small sample dataset. As the analytic results, there are obviously influences for the calibration precision among different strategies of selecting model's structural parameters. The calibration precision, which is mathematical described by standard deviation of spectral data for calibration, could be from ±0.1% to ±1%.

[Optimization of melamine structure using density functional theory and vibrational spectra studies].

Melamine was used in foodstuff and feed industry as a feed additive occasionally. In the present work, melamine geometry structure was optimized by density functional theory (DFT) method. Raman and infrared spectra were calculated based on MP2/6-31G sets and DFT/DGTIVP sets, and then two theoretical Raman spectra were carefully compared with other experimental spectra. Good agreements were obtained between the theoretical and experimental results. Melamine structure parameters were given also in the paper including bond lengths and bond angles. Vibrational modes were assigned to all bands in the 550-4 000 cm(-1) range. This work will benefit the measurement research of the content of melamine in foods.

[Research on variable selection of wheat near-infrared spectroscopy based on latent projective graph].

To simplify the model and improve the precision of prediction model, latent projective graph (LPG) was used for variable selection. The original spectrum was processed by continuous wavelet transform (CWT), LPG was obtained by principal component analysis (PCA), and based on the assumption that collinear wavelengths might have the same contribution to the modeling, a few latent spectral variables were selected for establishing prediction model. The root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) model was 0. 3454, better than other modeling methods. This work proved that variable selection with LPG could simplify the near-infrared spectral model effectively, and improve the precision of prediction model.

Alteration of T helper cell subsets in the optic nerve of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

The objective of this study was to detect interleukin-17 (IL-17), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and forkhead/winged helix transcription factor p3 (Foxp3) protein and gene expression of the optic nerve and to further explore the role of T helper cell subsets such as Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg in the pathogenesis of optic neuritis in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Mice in C57BL/6 background were randomly divided into control and EAE groups. At days 11, 15 and 19 post-immunization, optic nerves were dissected for morphological study to detect IL-17, IFN-gamma and IL-4. Protein analysis was done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for measuring the gene expression of IL-17, IFN-gamma, IL-4 and Foxp3. Concentrations of IL-17 protein in the optic nerve were significantly up-regulated at 11 days post-immunization, and IFN-gamma protein concentrations at 19 days. Concentrations of IL-4 protein in the optic nerve declined slightly in 19 days. mRNA expression of IL-17, IFN-gamma and IL-4 was consistent with their protein expression. Foxp3 mRNA transcription was down-regulated at 11-19 days post-immunization. Decreased expression of Foxp3 mRNA and Treg in the optic nerve may play a key role in the development of optic neuritis. IL-17 may mediate inflammatory pathogenicity at the early stage of optic neuritis, and IFN-gamma may aggravate inflammatory injury during the peak stage of optic neuritis.

BjMT2, a metallothionein type-2 from Brassica juncea, may effectively remove excess lead from erythrocytes and kidneys of rats.

The remedial effects of a plant metallothionein type-2 were observed from lead (Pb) injured rats. BjMT2 from Brassica juncea was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography, a purified BjMT2 protein was obtained which strongly reacted with the thiol reagent MBB (monobromobimane). The profiles of erythrocytes, renal tubules and glomerulus of kidney of rats suffered pathological changes from excess Pb were evidently improved by supplying the BjMT2. Quantitative analysis showed that the content of Pb and the amount of leukocytes in blood were significantly declined after supplying BjMT2 to rats. The results indicated that the BjMT2 may have the potential function to decrease Pb toxicification in rate organs and tissues.

Effect of different iodine intake on schoolchildren's thyroid diseases and intelligence in rural areas.

BACKGROUND: Reports are increasingly appearing on the side effects caused by excessive iodine intake. Our objective was to find out whether iodine excess would impair the thyroid function and intelligence of schoolchildren in rural areas of China. METHODS: A comparative epidemiological study was made on thyroid function and intelligence of the schoolchildren in the areas of low, moderate or excessive intake of iodine. In the area of low intake of iodine (Panshan, Liaoning province, median urinary iodine (MUI) was 99 microg/L), of moderate intake of iodine (Zhangwu, Liaoning Province, MUI was 338 microg/L) and of excessive intake of iodine (Huanghua, Hebei Province, MUI was 631 microg/L). The numbers of schoolchildren from each area selected to take part in a Chinese version of Raven's Test were 190, 236 and 313, respectively, and then 116, 110 and 112 of them were tested for thyroid function, thyroid autoantibody (TAA) and urinary iodine (UI). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the incidences of overt hyperthyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism and overt hypothyroidism in Panshan, Zhangwu and Huanghua. But significant differences were found in the incidences of subclinical hypothyroidism (P = 0.001) in these three areas. The incidences of subclinical hypothyroidism in Huanghua and Zhangwu were 4.76 and 3.37 times higher than that in Panshan. TAA were negative in all the schoolchildren with subclinical hypothyroidism except for one. No significant difference was found among the rates of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) in these three areas. Mean serum thyroglobulin (TG) value of Huanghua was markedly higher than those of the other two (P = 0.02). Mean serum TG value of Zhangwu was higher than that of Panshan but the difference was not significant. Mean IQ value of the schoolchildren in Huanghua was markedly higher than that for Zhangwu (P = 0.001). Mean IQ value of the schoolchildren in Panshan was lower than that of Huanghua and higher than that of Zhangwu but, again, the differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The increase of iodine intake may increase the risk for schoolchildren of subclinical hypothyroidism. In the area of iodine excess, most of the subclinical hypothyroidism cases are not of autoimmune origin. No obvious effect of excess iodine was found on mental development of schoolchildren.

[Multifactor analysis of relationship between the biological exposure to iodine and hypothyroidism].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between the biological exposure to iodine and hypothyroidism. METHODS: Logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of hypothyroidism, according to the epidemiologic data of 3761 adults in 3 kinds of rural communities: mild iodine deficiency area (4 natural villages in Panshan County, Liaoning Province), more than adequate iodine (7 natural villages of Zhangwu County, Liaoning Province), and excessive iodine area (2 natural villages of Huanghua City, Hebei Province). RESULTS: More than adequate iodine and excessive iodine were independent risk factors of subclinical hypothyroidism (OR = 3.172 and 6.391, P < 0.05) and overt hypothyroidism (OR = 3.696 and 9.213, P < 0.05). When interactions of iodine exposure and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) or thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) were included, more than adequate iodine was still a risk factor of subclinical hypothyroidism (OR = 2.788, P < 0.01), but had no such effect on overt hypothyroidism. Interaction of more than adequate iodine and positive TgAb significantly affected subclinical hypothyroidism and overt hypothyroidism (OR = 2.656 and 3.347, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: More than adequate and excessive iodine exposure are independent risk factors of hypothyroidism. The risk of hypothyroidism grows up and thyroid dysfunction becomes more serious with the increasing of the biological exposure to iodine.

[Correlation between serum thyroglobulin and thyroid stimulating hormone in populations with non-toxic goiter].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in populations with non-toxic goiter. METHODS: Thyroid ultrasonography was conducted, and determination of serum triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroxin (FT4), Tg, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) and TSH, and urine iodine were carried out among 609 persons with an average age of 35.4 in Panshan county, a mild iodine-deficient area in Liaoning province, and 1136 persons aged 39.1 on average in Zhangwu county, an iodine sufficient area in Liaoning province, totally 2 320 persons. RESULTS: The serum TSH levels of the populations with diffuse and nodular goiter in Panshan county were (0.11 +/- 0.08) mU/L and (0.90 +/- 0.10) mU/L, significantly higher than those of the normal population in the same areas (1.33 +/- 0.04) mU/L, both P < 0.01. The serum TSH levels of the populations with diffuse and nodular goiter in Zhangwu county were (1.29 +/- 0.13) mU/L and (0.89 +/- 0.14) mU/L, significantly higher than those of the normal population in the same areas (1.74 +/- 0.04) mU/L, both P < 0.01. The serum TSH level of normal population in iodine deficient area was significantly lower than that of normal population in iodine sufficient area (P < 0.01). The serum TSH level of the normal population in Panshan County was significantly lower than that of the normal population in Zhangwu County (P < 0.01). The serum Tg level of the populations with diffuse and nodular goiter in Panshan county were (12.0 +/- 1.21) ng/L and (50.1 +/- 12.20) ng/L, significantly higher than that of the normal population in the same area (9.1 +/- 2.44) ng/L, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01. The serum Tg level of the populations with diffuse and nodular goiter in Zhangwu county were (12.4 +/- 2.11) ng/L and (61.2 +/- 11.86) ng/L, significantly higher than that of the normal population in the same area (7.7 +/- 2.3) ng/L, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01. The Tg level of the normal population in Panshan County was significantly higher than that of the normal population in Zhangwu county (P < 0.01). The Tg level was positively correlated with the thyroid volume in the nodular goiter population. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of goiter is not directly related to TSH stimulation in mild iodine deficient area. Nontoxic goiter shows a thyroid autonomic function. The major cause of high serum Tg in nodular goiter may be the leakage of Tg into blood circulation caused by degeneration of large colloid follicles and destruction of follicular architecture, not the volume increase of thyroid and its autonomic function.

[An epidemiological study on factors affecting serum thyroglobulin levels].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of several factors affecting serum thyroglobulin (TG) levels among people aged 14 or more. METHODS: We selected Panshan with median urinary iodine (MUI) 83.45 micro g/L as a deficient iodine intake community, Zhangwu with MUI 242.85 micro g/L as a sufficient iodine intake community and Huanghua with MUI 650.87 micro g/L as an excessive iodine intake community. Serum TG and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in 3,335 subjects whose thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) were negative and thyroid volume were examined using B-ultrasound. RESULTS: In the population with MUI of 80 - 650 micro g/L, serum TG levels presented a "V" curve. An elevated serum TG was found in both the communities with deficient iodine intake and excessive iodine intake. The same trend was shown in the groups with different levels of serum TSH. An elevated serum TG was found in both the groups of TSH < 0.3 mU/L and TSH > 4.8 mU/L. The serum TG levels was positively correlated with thyroid volume and was higher in female subjects than in male. An increased serum TG was found in subjects of aged 50 in the community with deficient iodine intake. CONCLUSION: Serum TG level is affected by gender, amount of iodine intake, serum TSH level and thyroid volume.

[An epidemiological study on the relationship between selenium and thyroid function in areas with different iodine intake].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between selenium status and thyroid dysfunction in 3 areas with different iodine intake. METHODS: An epidemiological research was performed in the rural communities of Panshan County (iodine-deficient area) and Zhangwu County (iodine-sufficient area), Liaoning Province, and Huanghua County, Hebei Province (iodine-excessive area). Serum selenium, TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels were examined in 329 patients with thyroid dysfunction (including clinical hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, clinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism) and 183 normal inhabitants. RESULTS: The median serum selenium concentrations in Panshan, Zhangwu and Huanghua were 91.4, 89.1, and 83.2 microg/L respectively. There was no difference in serum selenium levels between the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, clinical hypothyroidism, and clinical hyperthyroidism and their normal controls. The median serum selenium concentration of the subclinical hyperthyroidism patients was 82.6 microg/L, significantly lower than that of the normal controls (87.3 microg/L). The FT3/FT4 ratio was decreased, the FT4 level was increased in the subclinical hyperthyroidism patients in comparison with the normal controls, and no significant difference in FT3 level was found between them. No significant effect of sex and age was found on serum selenium level of normal inhabitants. In normal controls serum selenium was inversely correlated with serum TSH level, and the subjects with serum selenium < or = 80 microg/L had the median TSH level of 2.10 mU/L, markedly higher than that of the subjects with the serum selenium of 80-100 microg/L (1.29 mU/L) and that of the subjects with the serum selenium of 100 approximately 120 micro g/L (1.28 mU/L). For the thyroid dysfunction patients with positive thyroid auto-antibody (TPOAb) in Zhangwu County, the serum selenium was negatively associated with TPOAb level. The serum selenium level of the TPOAb highly positive group (TPOAb > 600 IU/ml) was 83.6 IU/ml, significantly lower than those of the TPOAb lowly positive group and TPOAb moderately positive group (83.6, 92.9 and 95.6 microg/L respectively). CONCLUSION: No obvious effect of selenium status is found on the development of thyroid dysfunction in these three areas. But selenium deficiency can impair thyroid function by means of disturbing thyroid hormone metabolism and decreasing antioxidant ability of the thyroid.