[Effect of rebamipide on the acute gouty arthritis in rats induced by monosodium urate crystals].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of rebamipide in the treatment of acute gout arthritis rats induced by monosodium urate (MSU) crystal. METHODS: Forty-two male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=14). Group A was treated with oral rebamipide, group B with oral colchicine, and group C with oral placebo. The rats were monitored for the induction of arthritis with clinical manifestations and pathological changes, and the levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß、IL-6、IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in serum were measured. RESULTS: In group C, the clinical score and swelling index reached the maximum in 24 h, and then gradually decreased to 72 h. After 24 h of model induced, the clinical scores in group C were significantly higher than those in group A and group B [2 (1-3) vs. 0 (0-1) vs. 1 (0-2), P < 0.01], the swelling indexes in group C were significantly higher than those in group A and group B [0.36 (0.16-0.52) vs. 0.11 (0-0.20) vs. 0.12 (0-0.16), P < 0.01]. Histologically, after 24 h of model induced, there was a large number of neutrophil infiltration in the synovium of group C [scale score: 4 (2-4)], and there was no significant inflammatory cell infiltration in group A [1 (0-2)] and group B [1 (0-2)], the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). After 24 h of model induced, the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in serum of group C were significantly higher than those in group A and B [IL-1ß: (41.86±5.72) vs. (27.35±7.47) vs. (27.76±5.28) ng/L, IL-6: (1 575.55±167.11) vs. (963.53±90.22) vs. (964.08±99.31) ng/L, IL-10: (37.96±3.76) vs. (21.68±4.83) vs. (16.20±2.49) ng/L, TNF-α: (21.32±1.34) vs. (15.82±2.54) vs. (17.35±7.47) µg/L, P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: Rebamipide has a protective effect on acute gout arthritis rats induced by MUS crystals.

[Clinical features and prognostic analysis of female breast cancer in different diagnosed ages].

Objective: To evaluate 5-years breast cancer-specific survival (CCS) by age, and the relationship of age at diagnosis and the risk of breast cancer mortality. Methods: Medical records of 3 470 resident patients diagnosed with primary, invasive female breast cancer between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2010 in four hospitals in Beijing were reviewed and collected. All patients were followed up until December 31, 2018 to acquire survival outcome. Five-years breast CCS of the five subgroups was estimated by the life-table method. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of different levels of age stratification and breast cancer mortality, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) model was used to detect the dose-response relationship. Results: The median diagnosis age among 3 470 female breast cancer patients was 53.2 years. There were 1 289 patients in the age-group of 45~54 years, with the highest proportion of 37.15%. However, only 126 patients occurred in the age-group of less than 35 years, with the lowest proportion of 3.63%. A total of 528 (15.22%) patients died of breast cancer during the study period. Overall 5-year CCS was 90.72% (95%CI: 89.74%~91.70%), 88.68% (95%CI: 83.09%~94.27%) and 87.05% (95%CI: 84.27%~89.82%) for all of the patients, aged less than 35 years and those aged 65 years and older. Compared with patients with diagnosis age of 45~54 years, the multivariate-adjusted HRs for breast cancer mortality associated with patients in age-group of <35 years and those in the age-group of ≥65 years were 1.72 (95% CI: 1.06~2.81) and 1.89 (95% CI: 1.43~2.49), respectively. In addition, patients aged ≥65 years had significantly higher risk of breast cancer mortality in Luminal subtypes, with HR of 1.70 (95% CI: 1.17~2.46) for Luminal A breast cancer and HR of 3.84 (95% CI: 1.74~8.49) for Luminal B breast cancer. RCS analysis exhibited a non-linear ( "J-shaped" ) relationship between diagnosis age of female breast cancer and the risk of breast cancer mortality (nonlinear P<0.000 1). In addition, patients aged ≥65 years had significantly higher risk of breast cancer mortality in Luminal subtypes, with HR of 1.70 (95% CI: 1.17~2.46) for Luminal A breast cancer and HR of 3.84 (95% CI: 1.74~8.49) for Luminal B breast cancer. RCS analysis exhibited a non-linear ( "J-shaped" ) relationship between diagnosis age of female breast cancer and the risk of breast cancer mortality (nonlinear P<0.000 1). Conclusion: Age at diagnosis is an important prognostic factor for female breast cancer, with worse outcome for both young and old patients.

Comparison of the performance between Frontier ASPECTS software and different levels of radiologists on assessing CT examinations of acute ischaemic stroke patients.

AIM: To compare the performance of Frontier Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) software with different levels of radiologists in assessing computed tomography (CT) examinations of patients with early acute ischaemic stroke (AIS), and to evaluate whether this software can improve the performance of rating by less experienced radiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Unenhanced brain CT examinations of 55 patients with acute middle cerebral artery ischaemia were scored separately by Frontier, two senior radiologists, and two junior radiologists retrospectively and blinded to any clinical information. Two junior radiologists then scored again with the assist of Frontier. The reference standard was defined as the ASPECTS on Follow-up unenhanced CT scored by another two non-blinded independent experts on a consensus basis. Statistical analysis was performed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Frontier and senior radiologists in ASPECTS reading have excellent agreement with the reference standard (r=0.842 and 0.803, respectively), while only a good agreement was found between junior radiologists and reference standard (r=0.680). Bland-Altman analysis revealed the mean ASPECTS difference and SD difference of junior radiologists were larger (mean difference=1.35; SD=1.42) than that of Frontier and senior radiologists with reference standard (mean difference=0.16, 0.22; SD=1.24, 1.13, respectively). However, with the assist of Frontier, the agreement between junior radiologists and reference standard was improved from good (r=0.680) to excellent (r =0.852), and the mean ASPECTS difference and SD difference were reduced. CONCLUSION: High agreement in ASPECTS rating between senior radiologists, Frontier, and expert consensus reading was found. Moreover, Frontier can improve the performance of less experienced radiologists to assess the ASPECTS of patients with AIS.

[Comprehensive identification of compensatory mutations in rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains].

Objective: To comprehensively identify compensatory mutations in rpoA, rpoB and rpoC genes of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (RIF-r MTB) and to evaluate the effect of rifampicin-resistant mutation type and lineage background on occurrence of compensatory mutations. Methods: Published MTB whole genome sequencing data were searched and downloaded. RIF-r MTB was identified through known rifampicin-resistant mutations. Based on parallel evolutionary patterns, we identified putative compensatory mutations in the phylogenetic tree and calculated proportions of accumulating compensatory mutations in each rifampicin-resistant mutations' type and lineage background of RIF-r MTB. Statistic significance was analyzed by chi-square test. Results: A total of 8 453 global MTB whole genome sequencing data were downloaded form ENA (covering 12 countries), including 1 749 RIF-r MTB. Based on phylogenetic analysis, we totally identified 60 putative compensatory mutations (6 in rpoA gene, 16 in rpoB gene and 38 in rpoC gene), 11 of which were newly reported. RIF-R strains carrying rpoB S450L (41.7%, 279/669) had a significant higher chance to accumulate compensatory mutations than strains with other rpoB mutations (8.0%, 31/388, χ(2)=378.5, P<0.000 1). In addition, RIF-R strains from lineage 2 (34.0%, 223/656) had a significant higher chance to accumulate compensatory mutations than strains from other lineages [lineage1: 4.7%(2/43), 2/43, lineage3: 12.5%(4/32), 4/32, lineage4: 15.1%(78/517), 78/517; χ(2)=238.5, P<0.000 1]. Conclusions: Our study comprehensively identified putative rifampicin-resistant compensatory mutations of rifampicin resistance. RIF-R strains carrying rpoB S450L mutation or from lineage 2 had a significantly higher chance to accumulate compensatory mutations than strains either with other rpoB mutations or from other lineages.

[Clinical effect of ultraselective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma originating from the caudate lobe: an analysis of 13 cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of ultraselective transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) originating from the caudate lobe. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 13 patients with solitary HCC originating from the caudate lobe who were admitted to Department of Interventional Radiology in PLA General Hospital from March 2013 to December 2016. A 2.6-F microcatheter was used to perform ultraselective TACE, and the embolization material was ultra-liquefied iodinated oil. The number of tumor-feeding arteries, success rate and short-term efficacy of ultraselective technique, and long-term survival were evaluated after surgery. Results: Of all patients, 8 (61.5%) had a single tumor-feeding artery and 5 (38.5%) had multiple tumor-feeding arteries. The success rate of ultraselective technique was 84.6% (11/13). The complete remission rate at 1 month after ultraselective TACE was 63.6% (7/11). During the follow-up period after the expiration date, 10 out of 11 patients who underwent successful ultraselective TACE survived, and one out of two patients who underwent failed ultraselective TACE survived. Conclusion: Ultraselective TACE has good feasibility, clinical effect, and safety in the treatment of HCC originating from the caudate lobe, with an important clinical significance in the prognosis of such disease.

[Lung cancer incidence and mortality in China in 2013].

Objective: Lung cancer incidence and mortality were estimated by sorting and analyzing the national cancer registration data in 2013. Methods: Lung cancer data of 2013 were retrieved from the database of 255 qualified cancer registries. Lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in cancer registration areas in 2013 were estimated by areas (urban/rural), gender and age groups, new lung cancer cases and deaths were estimated using age-specific rates by areas and gender using the corresponding population in 2013. Lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in China in 2013 were calculated based on the estimated new cancer cases and deaths and the corresponding population. The Chinese population in 2000 and Segi's world population were used to calculate age-standardized rates. Results: It was estimated that there were about 732.8 thousand new lung cancer cases and 580.7 thousand deaths occurred in China in 2013. The crude incidence rate was 53.86/10(5)(males 70.10/10(5,) females 36.78/10(5)), while age-standardized incidence rate by Chinese standard populations (ASIRC) and by world standard populations (ASIRW) were 36.19/10(5) and 36.09/10(5) with the cumulative incidence rate (0-74 years old) of 4.42%.The crude mortality rate was 43.41/10(5)(males 57.64/10(5,) females 28.45/10(5)), and age-standardized mortality rate by Chinese standard populations (ASMRC) and by world standard populations (ASMRW) were 28.64/10(5) and 28.41/10(5) with the cumulative incidence rate (0-74 years old) of 3.34%.Both incidence and mortality rates were higher in males than in females. Crude incidence and mortality rates were slightly higher in urban areas than in rural areas, but after age standardized, the results were opposite. Conclusions: Lung cancer is the common cancer, which both incidence and mortality rates are ranking first in China, and the burden of the disease is heavy. Comprehensive measures towards risk factors control, cancer early diagnosis and treatment should be strengthened continuously.

[Analysis of the effect of menopausal status and molecular subtype on survivals among breast cancer patients].

Objective: To analyze the associations between molecular subtypes and overall breast cancer survival among premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer in Beijing, and to provide basic information for breast cancer clinical researches and control. Methods: All the resident patients diagnosed with breast cancer in four well-established hospitals were retrieved from Beijing cancer registry, related information, such as TNM stages, receptor status, histological grade, height, weight, were collected by case extraction. Cancer registration information and population-based follow-up information were used to acquire survival outcome. All the patients were followed up until 31 December 2015, 4 531 cases with invasive, primary breast were included in the final analysis. All the cases were classified into Luminal and non-Luminal according to receptor status. Five-year survival rates of the two subtypes were estimated by the life-table method. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were employed to evaluate the associations between molecular subtypes and breast cancer survival. Results: Of all the 4 531 patients, premenopausal patients accounted for 44.5% (2 017 cases) and postmenopausal patients accounted for 55.5% (2 514 cases). 643 cases died during the study period. Overall five-year survival was 89.5% (95%CI: 88.6%-90.4%), for premenopausal and postmenopausal patients, they were 92.1% (95%CI: 90.9%-93.3%), and 87.5% (95%CI: 86.2%-88.8%), respectively. Among all the patients, 3 730 patients had molecular subtype, 76.7% (2 861 cases) were Luminal breast cancer, and 23.3% (869 cases) were non-Luminal breast cancer. Five-year survival rates for Luminal and non-Luminal were 91.8% (95%CI: 90.8%-92.8%), and 83.2% (95%CI: 80.7%-85.7%), respectively. No matter in premenopausal or postmenopausal patients, non-Luminal breast cancer had significantly higher risk of death compared to Luminal breast cancer (premenopausal: HR=1.85, 95%CI: 1.26-2.73; premenopausal: HR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.07-1.88). Conclusion: For both premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer patients, non-Luminal breast cancer had lower five-year survival rates than Luminal breast cancer, which was a risk factor on breast cancer survival.

Differential expression of hENT1 and hENT2 in colon cancer cell lines.

Human equilibrative nucleoside transporters (hENT) 1 and 2, encoded by SLC29A1 and SLC29A2, permit the bidirectional passage of nucleoside analogues into cells and may correlate with clinical responses to chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression profiles of SLC29A1 and SLC29A2 in human cancer cell lines. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, we comprehensively profiled the transcription levels of SLC29A1 and SLC29A2 in 16 colon cancer cell lines. We validated the ubiquitous and heterogeneous distribution of SLC29A1 and SLC29A2 in human colon cancer cell lines and demonstrated that SLC29A1 was highly expressed in 25% of metastatic cell lines (Colo201 and Colo205) and 62.5% of primary cell lines (Caco2, Colo320, HCT116, RKO, and SW48). For the first time, we showed that both SLC29A1 and SLC29A2 were expressed at lower levels in colon cancer cell lines originating from metastatic sites than from primary sites. These findings indicate that most patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) may have low hENT1 expression, and treatment with nucleoside analogues may be inefficient. However, some patients still show high hENT1 expression and have a high probability of benefiting from these drugs. Therefore, evaluating transporter expression profiles and different drug responses between primary and metastatic tumors in patients with mCRC is important. Further assessment of the association between hENTs and drug-based treatment of mCRC is required to elucidate the mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance.

The correlation between miR-200c and the severity of interstitial lung disease associated with different connective tissue diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the correlation between microRNA (miR)-200c and the severity of interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). METHOD: We recruited 218 patients with CTDs who were evaluated with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and the pulmonary function test (PFT). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were acquired from 23 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), 29 with dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM), 30 with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), 47 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 23 normal controls to detect the expression level of miR-200c by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). miR-200c levels were compared among the different disease groups, between the group with ILD (CTD+ILD) and the group without ILD (CTD-ILD), and between mild and severe ILD groups. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) were compared among the different CTD groups and the different CTD+ILD groups. RESULTS: The miR-200c level in the SSc group was significantly higher than in the DM/PM, pSS, and RA groups, and the levels in the DM/PM and pSS groups were significantly higher than in the RA group. The level of miR-200c in the CTD+ILD group was significantly higher than in the CTD-ILD group, and the level in the severe ILD group was significantly higher than in the mild ILD group. FVC and FEV1 were significantly different among the different CTD groups, and among the different CTD+ILD groups. There was a negative correlation between the level of miR-200c and FVC and FEV1. CONCLUSIONS: The level of miR-200c was positively correlated with the severity of ILD, and miR-200c in PBMCs could be a biomarker of the severity of ILD in CTDs.

[Incidence and trend analysis of esophageal cancer in China].

OBJECTIVE: Incidence data retrieved from population-based cancer registration were used to analyze the esophageal cancer incidence and trend in China. The results can provide basic information for prevention and control of esophageal cancer. METHODS: Esophageal cancer incidence data in 2012 were retrieved from the National Central Cancer Registry, nationwide new esophageal cancer cases were estimated using age-specific rate by urban or rural and gender and national population in 2012. Esophageal cancer incidence data from 22 cancer registries were used to analyze the trend during 2000-2011. RESULTS: The estimates of new cases of esophageal cancer were about 286.7 thousand in 2012 in China. The incidence rate was 21.17/10(5,) the age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population and by world population were 14.73/10(5) and 14.93/10(5,) respectively, and the cumulative incidence rate was 1.91%.There was a decreasing trend of incidence rate of esophageal cancer in registration areas of China during 2000-2011 with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 0.9% (95%CI: -1.6% to -0.1%), no significant differences were observed in urban area and an increasing trend with AAPC of 1.3% (95%CI: 0.2% to 2.5%) in rural area. After age standardization, the incidence rate was significantly decreased, with AAPC of -4.0% (95%CI: -5.5% to -2.6%) overall, -3.8% (95%CI: -4.9% to -2.7%) in urban and -1.7% (95%CI: -3.0% to -0.4%) in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancers in China and is an emphasis for cancer control. After effective control of risk factors and development of esophageal cancer screening techniques in high-risk areas for years, esophageal cancer incidence appears to have a significant decreasing trend.

[Mortality and survival analysis of esophageal cancer in China].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the nationwide mortality of esophageal cancer in China in 2012, to investigate the trends of the disease, and to provide support data for esophageal cancer prevention and control in China. METHODS: Data of population-based cancer registry of China were extracted by sex and geographical area. Joinpoint software was used to analyze the trends of esophageal cancer from 2000 to 2011 using the continuous data of 22 cancer registries. Average annual percentage change rates (AAPC) were calculated, and 17 cancer registries data during 2003-2005 were analyzed. RESULTS: In 2012, there were estimated 210.9 thousand new cases of esophageal cancer death in China, with 149 thousand in males and 61.9 thousand in females, accounting for 9.65% of overall cancer death. The crude mortality rate of esophageal cancer in 2012 was 15.58 per 100 000, accounting for the fourth-leading cause of overall cancer deaths. The age-standardized mortality rates by world population and China population were 10.67 per 100 000 and 10.62 per 100 000, respectively. The cumulative mortality rate for age 0-74 was 1.28%. The age-specific mortality rates were increasing with age, and there was a sharp increase after 50 years of age. From 2000 to 2011, there was a slight decreasing trend for crude mortality rate, with the AAPC of -1.1% (95% CI: -1.8% to -0.5%). However, the age standardized mortality rates were decreasing significantly with the AAPC of -4.6% (95% CI: -5.7% to -3.6%). The AAPCs for age-standardized esophageal cancer mortality were -3.8% in urban areas and -2.4% in rural areas. For combined 5-year age standardized relative survival was 20.9% (95%CI: 20.2% to 21.7%) and the 1-, 3- and 5-year observed survival rates were 54.0%, 25.5%, 18.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is still a heavy burden of esophageal cancer in China. Prevention and early diagnosis of the disease in esophageal cancer high-risk areas is very essential.

The relationship between Chinese construction workers' HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour: a structural equation model.

This study explored the relationship between human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in migrant urban construction workers using structural equation modelling (SEM). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 428 male subjects on three building sites in Shenyang City. The SEM model of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour was built using LISREL version 8.5 and it fitted the data well, as shown by an adjusted goodness of fit index of 0.82 and a root mean square error of approximation of 0.094. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS was closely correlated with attitudes and behaviour. Age was an important factor affecting HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. These findings suggest that increasing HIV/AIDS-related knowledge could improve the attitude and behaviour of migrant urban construction workers, enabling them to avoid high-risk behaviour that increases the spread of HIV/AIDS. Any intervention used will need to take the important factor of age into consideration.

[Prevalence of prostatic hyperplasia and its relative factors in six cities of China in 1997].

OBJECTIVE: To study crude prevalence and distribution of the elderly prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: Three thousand three hundred and sixty-one elderly aged 60 years and above in the urban and rural areas of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an and Shenyang were investigated, using clustered random sampling methods. RESULTS: The crude prevalence of prostatic hyperplasia was found to be 43.68% with an increase with ageing (P < 0.01). The crude prevalence rates of prostatic hyperplasia among the elderly of 60-, 65-, 70-, 75-, 80-, 85- years old were 34.48%, 40.27%, 46.77%, 51.44%, 57.32% and 60.19% respectively (P < 0.01). Rates in the urban and rural areas were 46.79%and 39.64% respectively. The crude prevalence of urban areas was higher than that of rural areas (P < 0.01) and was found higher in Beijing (63.28%) and Guangzhou (54.28%), (P < 0.01). The crude rates prevalence of managers (54.88%), teachers and business men (55.17%) were in general higher than the prevalence of the workers (41.29%) and peasant (37.26%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the crude prevalence was related to ageing, profession and residential areas (P respective < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of prostatic hyperplasia was higher in the elderly and became a common disease of the male elderly in China. Prevention and treatment of prostatic hyperplasia in the elderly should be strengthened.

Multizone and transition zone photorefractive keratectomy for high myopia.

BACKGROUND: Variations in ablation profile may alter the stability of refraction and cause adverse effects in photorefractive keratectomy. We compared the benefits of multizone and transition zone ablation in the treatment of high and extreme myopia. METHODS: A scanning excimer laser system, Nidek EC-5000 was used with three-zone treatment and our results were compared retrospectively with results obtained in a group with a conventional ablation profile using a transition zone. RESULTS: Six-month follow-up data were available for 65 eyes with a transition zone and 46 eyes with three-zone treatment. Postoperative mean (+/- SD) healing time was 2.98 days (+/- 0.12) and 3.02 days (+/- 0.15) and night vision disturbances were 16% and 11.5% respectively, (p > 0.05). Refractive regression was also similar in the two groups; uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was 90.77% and 89.14%. At 6 months postoperatively, the mean (+/- SD) corneal clarity score was 0.61 (+/- 0.29) in the transition zone group, and 0.51 (+/- 0.07) in the multizone group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: No discernible differences between treatments were found in either epithelial healing or refractive outcome, such as regression, between the groups. Corneal haze was less in eyes treated with three-zone ablation.