[Study on effect of astragali radix polysaccharides in improving learning and memory functions in aged rats and its mechanism].

To observe the effect of Astragali Radix polysaccharides (APS) on the learning and memory functions of aged rats, in order to explore its mechanism for improving the learning and memory functions. Natural aging female SD rats were selected in the animal model and randomly divided into the control group, the APS low-dose group (50 mg x kg(-1)), the APS high-dose group (150 mg x kg(-1)) and the piracetam-treated group (560 mg x kg(-1)). They were orally administered with the corresponding drugs for consecutively 60 days. Besides, a young control group was set. The learning and memory functions of the rats were tested by the open-field test and the Morris water maze task. The Western-blot method was used to observe the levels of relevant neural plasticity protein N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA receptor) in hippocampus, calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), protein kinase (PKA), the phosphorylation level of CAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and the protein expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). In this study, the authors found that the learning and memory functions and the hippocampus neural plasticity protein expression of the aged rat group were much lower than that of the young control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the aged rat group, the APS group showed the significant improvement in the impaired learning and memory functions of aged rats and the up-regulation in the hippocampus neural plasticity protein expression. The results showed that APS may improve the learning and memory functions of aged rats by increasing the expressions of relevant neural plasticity proteins.

Combining surgery with 125I brachytherapy for recurrent mediastinal dedifferentiated liposarcoma: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the mediastinum is an extremely rare malignant neoplasm. A few previous case reports indicate that surgical resection is the major treatment, but frequent recurrence occurs locally. Due to its rarity, its clinical characteristics, optimal treatment and clinical outcomes remain unclear. Here, we report a case of multifocal recurrent dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the posterior mediastinum treated by combining surgery with 125I brachytherapy, and summarize its clinical features, treatment and prognosis. CASE SUMMARY: A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a history of gradual dysphagia for one year and aggravated dysphagia for 3 mo. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed several large cystic-solid masses with lipomatous density, and calcification in the posterior-inferior mediastinum. The patient received a wide excision by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Pathological analysis confirmed the tumors were dedifferentiated liposarcomas. The tumor locally relapsed 24 mo later, and another operation was performed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Fifteen months after the second surgery, the tumor recurred again, and the patient received CT-guided radioactive seeds 125I implantation. After 8 mo, follow-up chest CT showed an enlarged tumor. Finally, his condition exacerbated with severe dysphagia and dyspnea, and he died of respiratory failure in July 2018. CONCLUSION: We reviewed the literature, and suggest that surgical resection provides beneficial effects for dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the mediastinum, even in cases with local recurrence. 125I brachytherapy may be beneficial for recurrent unresectable patients.

GABA and 5-HT Systems Are Involved in the Anxiolytic Effect of Gan-Mai-Da-Zao Decoction.

The Gan-Mai-Da-Zao (GMDZ) decoction is one of the most famous Chinese medicine prescriptions to treat emotional diseases in China. Here we examined the anxiolytic-like effects of the GMDZ decoction in mice. The mice were orally administered with GMDZ decoction (1, 2, and 4 g/kg, respectively) for 7 days, diazepam (2 mg/kg, p.o.) and buspirone (5 mg/kg, p.o.) were used as positive controls. Then, elevated plus maze (EPM) test, light/dark box (LDB) test, and marble burying (MB) test, open field (OF) test and rota-rod test were performed. We found that GMDZ treatment (2 and 4 g/kg) significantly increased the percentage of open arm entries and time spent on the open arms in EPM as compared to the control. GMDZ treatment also significantly increased the time spent in the light box and the number of light box entries in LDB and reduced the number of marbles buried in MB. Similarly to those observed with diazepam and buspirone. In contrast, GMDZ did not affect the locomotor activity in the OF and motor coordination in the rota-rod test. Furthermore, the anxiolytic-like effects induced by GMDZ were inhibited by the γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor antagonist flumazenil and 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A (5-HT1A) receptor antagonist WAY-100635. These results showed that GMDZ possesses anxiolytic-like effects in animal models, and its mechanism of action might be modulated by 5-HT1A and GABAA receptors.

[Treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with paraplatin given by two different dosage calculation methods].

OBJECTIVE: To study the reasonable dosage for paraplatin according to different dosage calculations. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded study on 54 patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with paraplatin was conducted. Patients were divided to 2 groups. In group A, paraplatin dosage was calculated according to patients' body surface, and in group B, it was calculated according to the area under the curve (AUS). Hematological toxicity, response rate and survival rate in the two groups of patients were compared. RESULTS: Neutropenia in group A and group B was seen in 77.8% and 37.0% (P < 0.05), and thrombocytopenia in 18.5% and 3.7% (P > 0.05) of patients, respectively. Hemoglobin decrease was seen in 48.2% of patients in both groups. The average quantity of paraplatin given in one cycle of treatment was 535.93 +/- 106.71 mg and 398.52 +/- 71.72 mg (P < 0.01) respectively. The average time interval between treatment cycles was 27.04 +/- 5.30 d and 22.85 +/- 2.80 d (P < 0.05). The response rate and survival rate of patients in group A and B were 22.2% versus 48.2% (P < 0.05), and 40.7% versus 44.4% (P > 0.05) respectively, but the median survival time was identical (12 months) in the two groups. CONCLUSION: NSCLC patients given paraplatin with dosages calculated on the basis of AUC have higher response rate and less severe hematological toxicity than those given paraplatin with dosages on the basis of body surface. However, the median survival time and survival rate have no statistical differences between the two groups of patients.

[The application of needle video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy in pathologic diagnosis and staging for advanced lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical application of needle video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy in the pathologic diagnosis and staging for advanced lung cancer. METHODS: Ninety-four patients were diagnosed as having advanced lung cancer staged IIIa-IV by chest X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, for which a pathologic diagnosis was not made by sputum and pleural effusion cytology or bronchoscopic examination. Needle video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy was performed for primary lesions, mediastinal lymph nodes, metastatic lesions in the lungs and the chest wall. RESULTS: Pathologic samples were obtained in 89 of the 94 patients by needle video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The successful rate was 95%. After operation, the pathologic diagnosis was confirmed to be lung cancer in all the 89 patients. Adenocarcinoma was found in 47 patients, squamous carcinoma in 23, adenosquamous carcinoma in 12, and small cell lung cancer in 7. Compared to the clinical diagnosis before operation, the pathologic diagnosis post-operation was changed in 15 patients. Pneumothorax and mild haemoptysis occurred in 4 patients and 2 of the cases respectively. All the patients were followed for 8 - 18 months with computed tomography and physical examination. No implantation metastasis was found. CONCLUSION: Needle video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy is an effective diagnostic measure for patients with advanced lung cancer for which pathologic diagnosis, typing and staging are not determined by routine examinations.

Preoperative lymphocyte count is a favorable prognostic factor of disease-free survival in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Recently, the prognostic value of cancer-related inflammatory response has been revealed. Previous studies showed that peripheral neutrophils and lymphocytes had significant impact on the prognosis of advanced and early-node-negative non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of preoperative lymphocyte and neutrophil counts in patients with NSCLC who underwent lobectomy and lymph node dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy. Retrospective analyses were performed to examine the impact of preoperative peripheral lymphocyte and neutrophil counts on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) and to analyze the relationships of these factors to clinicopathological factors. A total of 142 patients with NSCLC were evaluated of which 57 (40.1 %) patients had local recurrence or metastasis. Multivariate analyses revealed that peripheral lymphocyte count was an independent favorable prognostic factor of DFS (hazard ratio 0.548; 95 % confidence interval 0.351-0.857; P = 0.008) but not OS (P = 0.164). The maximum logrank statistical value was 9.504 (P = 0.002) when the cutoff value of lymphocyte was 1,800 mm(-3). The median DFS was 318.0 days (95 % confidence interval 226.0-410.0) for lymphocyte ≤1,800 mm(-3) group and 669.0 days (95 % confidence interval 0.0-1,431.0) for lymphocyte >1,800 mm(-3) group. Low lymphocyte count was related with lymphatic invasion (P = 0.012) and recurrence of NSCLC (P = 0.022). Peripheral neutrophil count had no impact on DFS or OS when analysis included all the 142 patients. Preoperative peripheral lymphocyte count, which is related with lymphatic invasion, is an independent favorable prognostic factor of DFS in patients with NSCLC who underwent lobectomy and lymph node dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy.

HIF-1α siRNA and cisplatin in combination suppress tumor growth in a nude mice model of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: The esophagus squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most deadly malignances, and a current challenge is the development of effective therapeutic agents. Our present work addressed the effect of HIF-1α siRNA alone or in combination with cisplatin on the growth of ESCC in nude mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Xenografts were established by inoculating ESCC TE-1 cells in nude mice, and transplanted tumors were treated with HIF-1α siRNA, cisplatin alone or together. Growth was assessed by measuring tumor volume. HIF-1α mRNA and protein expression were detected using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Apoptosis of ESCC TE-1 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: In our nude mice model, HIF-1α siRNA effectively inhibited the growth of transplanted ESCC, downregulating HIF-1α mRNA and protein expression, and inducing ESCC TE-1 cell apoptosis. Notably when combinated with cisplatin, HIF-1α siRNA showed synergistic interaction in suppressing tumor growth. Furthermore, the proportion of apoptotic cells in HIF- 1α siRNA plus cisplatin group was significantly higher than that in cisplatin or HIF-1α siRNA-treated groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Down-regulated HIF-1α expression induced by siRNA could effectively suppress the growth of transplanted ESCC in vivo. HIF-1α siRNA could enhance the cytotoxicity of cisplatin, which suggests that a combination of these two agents may have potential for therapy of advanced ESCC.

[Comparative study of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery vs thoracic tube drainage in synthetic therapy for malignant pleural effusion secondary to non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and identify its indications in synthetic therapy for malignant pleural effusion secondary to non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: A prospective randomized single-blinded controlled clinical trial was conducted. Fifty-three patients with moderate or large amount of ipsilateral malignant pleural effusion (MPE) secondary to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were randomly divided into VATS group and tube drainage group (TD group). All patients received chemotherapy with the regimen of paclitaxel combined with paraplatin, and the response rate of MPE after therapy, difference of Karnofsky performance status (KPS) grades before and after therapy and the survival rate of the patients were compared. RESULTS: The response rate of MPE after therapy in VATS group and TD group was 92.3% and 59.3%, and the complete remission rate was 88.5% and 44.4% (P<0.05), respectively. The difference of KPS grades before and after therapy in VATS group and TD group were 30 and 20, with a mean of 33.5-/+11.3 and 24.07-/+10.5 (P<0.05), respectively. Till August of 2005 years, all patients were available for followed-up, whose median survival time was 20 months in VATS group and 15 months in TD group. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rate were 65.4%, 38.5% and 22.4% in VATS group and 59.3%, 25.9% and 14.8% in TD group (P>0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurectomy can effectively control MPE and improve the quality of life for NSCLC patients with MPE, but failed to significantly improve the patients' survival rate in comparison with tube drainage. Except for grade IV, grades I, II and III according to CT findings all can be indications of VATS.

[Feasibility of thoracoscopic pulmonary metastasectomy].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: With the developments in endoscopic surgery and the advances of radiological techniques, thoracoscopic pulmonary metastasectomy has been used more and more widely. This study was to evaluate the feasibility of thoracoscopic resection of pulmonary metastases. METHODS: The clinical data of 17 patients who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary metastasectomy were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: All pulmonary metastases in the 17 patients were peripherally located and encountered during follow-up after treatment of primary disease. Metastases at other sites were excluded. Among the 17 cases of metastases, 10 were solitary metastasis, 4 were unilateral multiple metastases, 3 were bilateral metastases. All patients underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection. No major complications, operative mortality, and port site metastasis presented. Postoperative locoregional relapse occurred in 5 patients, in which 4 patients had multiple metastases, the rest 1 patient with soft tissue sarcoma underwent a second thoracoscopic resection of recurrent pulmonary lesion. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 77.3%, 53.1%, and 34.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic resection is feasible and effective for patients with a solitary pulmonary metastasis, especially when the lesion is smaller than 3 cm and peripherally located. Bilateral pulmonary metastases may also be resected by primary thoracoscopic operation.

[Predicting efficacy of neoadjuvant cheomotherapy on resectable stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer by multi-gene expressions].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. The role of the expressions of P53, K-ras, HER2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), CD44, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in predicting efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on stage IIIA NSCLC is still unclear although they have been found to be related to prognosis. This study was to determine the predictive effect of multi-gene expression on treatment outcome of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable stage IIIA NSCLC. METHODS: Expressions of p53, K-ras, HER2, VEGF, EGFR, CD44, MMP-9 in the patients enrolled in the prospective randomized controlled trial were detected by immunohistochemistry. The treatment efficacies of combination (neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with surgery) group (36 patients) and surgery alone group (32 patients) were compared. RESULTS: The high gene expression rate was 58.3% in combination group, and 40.6% in surgery alone group(P=0.145). In combination group, no significant difference of disease-free survival rate (P=0.903) and survival time (P=0.238) was found between patients with histopathologic regression and patients without histopathologic regression; high gene expression had no correlation with pathologic regression (P= 0.862); the mean disease-free survival time was significantly lower in high gene expression subgroup than in low gene expression subgroup [(14.1+/-9.8) months vs. (27.2+/-13.6) months, P=0.032]; the 2-year disease-free survival rate was 38.1% in high gene expression subgroup, and 46.7% in low gene expression subgroup (P=0.607). CONCLUSIONS: Pathologic regression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy has no correlation with disease-free survival rate and survial time. The high gene expression maybe indicate high risk of postoperative metastasis; the necessity of postoperative chemotherapy needs further study.