Single-agent maintenance therapy in non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Can single-agent maintenance therapy be considered as an ideal strategy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment to achieve prolonged survival and tolerated toxicity? A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to elucidate this issue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The electronic databases were searched for RCTs comparing single-agent maintenance therapy with placebo, best support care or observation. The required data for estimation of response, survival and toxicity were extracted from the publications and the combined data were calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eleven RCTs involving 3686 patients were identified. We found a statistically significant higher probability of tumor response for patients with maintenance therapy versus control patients (OR: 2.80, 95%CI: 2.15 - 3.64). Patients receiving maintenance therapy had significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) (HR: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.62 - 0.71) and overall survival (OS) (HR: 0.84, 95%CI: 0.78 - 0.90). However, maintenance therapy was associated with more severe toxicities (OR: 6.45, 95%CI: 4.61 - 9.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In patients with advanced NSCLC, the use of single-agent maintenance therapy is associated with higher response rate and significantly prolongs PFS and OS despite of the risk of additional toxicity.</p>

Diagnostic efficiency and complication rate of CT-guided lung biopsy: a single center experience of the procedures conducted over a 10-year period / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic lung biopsy is a well-established technique for the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and complication rate of CT-guided lung biopsy in a Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CT-guided cutting needle lung biopsies were performed in our institution on 1014 patients between January 2000 and October 2010. A chest radiograph was taken after the biopsy. Data about basic patient information, final diagnosis, and complications secondary to biopsy procedure (pneumothorax and bleeding) were extracted.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The diagnostic efficiency of CT-guided lung biopsy was 94.8%; only 53 patients did not get a final diagnosis from lung biopsy. Final diagnoses found 639 malignant lesions (63.0%) and 322 benign lesions (31.8%). Pneumothorax occurred in 131 patients and 15 required insertion of an intercostal drain. Small hemoptysis occurred in 41 patients and mild parenchymal hemorrhage occurred in 16 patients. The overall complication rate was 18.5%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CT-guided cutting needle biopsy of pulmonary lesions is a relatively safe technique with a high diagnostic accuracy. It can be safely performed in clinical trials.</p>

Study on the current status and relative factors on reproductive health of unmarried floating population in Huizhou City / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the current status and relative factors of reproductive health (RH) on unmarried floating population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Both quantitative and qualitative surveys were employed. Quantitative survey would include questionnaire admimistration, physic examination and laboratory test while qualitative study including focus/nominal group discussion, individual and resource persons interview. All of the investigative targets were selected under informed consent.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 1333 investigated unmarried floating population, the mean score on knowledge of RH was 12.97 +/- 12.20 (the full score was 100). Among studied persons, 10.20% of them were in favor of unmarried sexual activity while 50.64% of them did not care about it and 26.90% of them had ever experienced sexual activity. Among females who experienced sexual activity, 25.45% of them had induced abortion. It was found, through multivariate logistic analysis, that sexual activity at younger age, less education, agreed on having sexual activity under partner's request, sexual activity in half of a year, and pregnancy were the major risk factors on RH of unmarried floating population.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The problem on the current status of RH among unmarried floating population needs to be addressed as they were lack of knowledge on RH and having more risk factors on RH.</p>