Pegylated filgrastim is comparable with filgrastim as support for commonly used chemotherapy regimens: a multicenter, randomized, crossover phase 3 study.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of a single subcutaneous injection of pegylated filgrastim with daily filgrastim as a prophylaxis for neutropenia induced by commonly used chemotherapy regimens. Fifteen centers enrolled 337 chemotherapy-naive cancer patients with normal bone marrow function. All patients randomized into AOB and BOA arms received two cycles of chemotherapy. Patients received a single dose of pegylated filgrastim 100 µg/kg in cycle 1 (AOB) or cycle 2 (BOA) and daily doses of filgrastim 5 µg/kg/day in cycle 1 (BOA) or cycle 2 (AOB). Efficacy and safety parameters were recorded. The primary end point was the rate of protection against grade 4 neutropenia after chemotherapy [defined as the rate at which the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) remained >0.5×10(9)/l throughout the entire cycle]. Ninety-four percent of patients receiving pegylated filgrastim or filgrastim did not develop grade 4 neutropenia. The incidence of ANC<1.0×10(9)/l was 16.0% (50/313) after support with either pegylated filgrastim or filgrastim. The incidences of febrile neutropenia and antibiotic administration were similar in both groups. Notably, faster ANC recovery was observed with pegylated filgrastim support. The ANC nadir was also earlier with pegylated filgrastim (day 7) support than with filgrastim support (day 9), although the depth of nadir was not significantly different. A single subcutaneous injection of pegylated filgrastim 100 µg/kg provided adequate and safe neutrophil support comparable with daily subcutaneous injections of unmodified filgrastim 5 µg/kg/day in patients receiving commonly used standard-dose mild-to-moderate myelosuppressive chemotherapy regimens.

Prism-based surface plasmon coupled emission imaging.

A prism-based surface plasmon coupled emission (SPCE) imaging apparatus with a reverse Kretschmann (RK) configuration was developed and applied to dye-doped polymer films. Highly polarized, directional and enhanced fluorescence images were obtained. The angular distribution of the SPCE images was in accordance with the validated theoretical calculation performed using Fresnel equation. Prism-based SPCE imaging combined with microarray technology appears to be a promising platform for rapid and high-throughput analysis, especially for high-density arrays. We believe that prism-based SPCE imaging has potential applications in biochemical research.

[Effectiveness of combined therapies using two types of peginterferon and ribavirin in treating chronic hepatitis C virus genotypes 1b/6a infections].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of a combined therapy using two types of peginterferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin in treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1b/6a infections. METHODS: The clinical data of 171 patients with chronic HCV genotypes 1b/6a infection in Common Hospital Centre S. Januario, Macau SAR, China, were retrospectively analyzed. Of these patients, 145 (84.8%) were infected with HCV genotype 1b and 26 (15.2%) with HCV genotype 6a. Patients were divided into two groups based on drug therapies: PEG-IFN-2b group (n=140), in which patients were treated with PEG-IFN-2b 1.5 g/kg QW plus ribavirin 800-1 200 mg/d and PEG-IFN-2a group (n=31), in which patients were treated with PEG-IFN-2a 180g QW plus ribavirin 800-1 200 mg/d. Patients was treated for 48 weeks and then followed up for 24 weeks. RESULTS: All patients completed their therapies. The rates of early viral response (EVR) and sustained virologic response (SVR) were 78.95% and 69.59%, respectively . The two groups were not significantly different in terms of EVR P=0.091 end of treatment virological response (ETVR) (P=0.542), SVR P=0.079, relapse (P=0.497). And the two HCV genotypes patients were not significantly different in terms of EVR (P=0.268), ETVR (P=0.276), SVR (P=0.479), and relapse (P=1.000). CONCLUSIONS: PEG-IFN combined with ribavirin can achieve high viral response in treating chronic hepatitis C. PEG-IFN-2a and PEG-IFN-2b basically are similarly effective in treating HCV genotype 1b or 6a infections.

[Effects of diaryliodonium on the properties of light-curing composite resin].

OBJECTIVE: To test the effects of two kinds of diaryliodonium on the degree of conversion (DC), the compressive strength (CS) and the cure depth (CD) of the light-curing composite resin. METHODS: BisS-GMA was used as reisin matrix, with TEGDMA as diluent and SiO2 as inorganic filler. CQ, DMAEMA and two different kinds of diaryliodonium (diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate and bis (p-tolyl) iodonium hexafluorophosphate) were used as photoinitiator, respectively. The DC, CS, CD were measured and compared by the FTIR spectroscopy, and the tensile strength of machine et al. RESULTS: Diaryliodonium led to greater DC, CS, and CD of the light-curing composite resin. The DC, CS, and CD of the light-curing composite resin increased more with bis (p-tolyl) iodonium hexafluorophosphate than with diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate. CONCLUSION: Diaryliodonium can improve the DC, CS, and CD properties of light-curing composite resin. Bis (p-tolyl) iodonium hexafluorophosphate has better performance than diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate in improving photosensibility and solubility of the photoinitiator system.

Surface plasmon coupled emission in micrometer-scale cells: a leap from interface to bulk targets.

Surface plasmon coupled emission (SPCE) technique has attracted increasing attention in biomolecular interaction analysis and cell imaging because of its high sensitivity, low detection volume and low fluorescence background. Typically, the working range of SPCE is limited at nanometers to an interface. For micrometer-scale samples, new SPCE properties are expected because of complex coupling modes. In this work, cells with different subregions labeled were studied using a SPCE spectroscopy system. Angular and p-polarized emission was observed for cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus labeled with DiI, Nile Red, and propidium iodide, respectively. The SPCE signals were always partially p-polarized, and the maximum emission angle did not shift, regardless of variations in emission wavelength, fluorophore distribution and stained layer thickness. Additionally, increased polarization and a broader angle distribution were also observed with an increase in sample thickness. We also investigated the impact of metallic substrates on the SPCE properties of cells. Compared with Au and Ni substrates, Al substrates presented better polarization and angle distribution. Moreover, the real-time detection of the cell labeling process was achieved by monitoring SPCE intensity. These findings expand SPCE from a surface technique to a 3D method for investigating bulk targets beyond the nanoscale interfaces, providing a basis to apply this technique to study cell membrane fluidity and biomolecule interactions inside the cell and to distinguish between cell subregions.

Genome-wide sequence characterization and expression analysis of major intrinsic proteins in soybean (Glycine max L.).

Water is essential for all living organisms. Aquaporin proteins are the major facilitator of water transport activity through cell membranes of plants including soybean. These proteins are diverse in plants and belong to a large major intrinsic (MIP) protein family. In higher plants, MIPs are classified into five subfamilies including plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIP), tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIP), NOD26-like intrinsic proteins (NIP), small basic intrinsic proteins (SIP), and the recently discovered X intrinsic proteins (XIP). This paper reports genome wide assembly of soybean MIPs, their functional prediction and expression analysis. Using a bioinformatic homology search, 66 GmMIPs were identified in the soybean genome. Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences of GmMIPs divided the large and highly similar multi-gene family into 5 subfamilies: GmPIPs, GmTIPs, GmNIPs, GmSIPs and GmXIPs. GmPIPs consisted of 22 genes and GmTIPs 23, which showed high sequence similarity within subfamilies. GmNIPs contained 13 and GmSIPs 6 members which were diverse. In addition, we also identified a two member GmXIP, a distinct 5(th) subfamily. GmMIPs were further classified into twelve subgroups based on substrate selectivity filter analysis. Expression analyses were performed for a selected set of GmMIPs using semi-quantitative reverse transcription (semi-RT-qPCR) and qPCR. Our results suggested that many GmMIPs have high sequence similarity but diverse roles as evidenced by analysis of sequences and their expression. It can be speculated that GmMIPs contains true aquaporins, glyceroporins, aquaglyceroporins and mixed transport facilitators.

[Clinical application of the penetrating needling technique from Yemen (TE 2) to Zhongzhu (TE 3)].

The penetrating technique of acupuncture from Yemen (TE 2) to Zhongzhu (TE 3) acts on the extraordinary effect of promoting Shaoyang meridian qi. The technique is specially good for heat pattern/syndrome of the triple energizer and it is commonly used in the treatment of common cold, high fever, anhidrosis in heat pattern/syndrome, migraine, redness, swelling and pain of the eye, tinnitus, ear pain, swelling and pain of the teeth, ulcers in the mouth and tongue, sore throat, neck rigidity, etc. In the manipulation, the needle is inserted from Yemen (TE 2), going obliquely upward along the metacarpal interspace to Zhongzhu (TE 3). With this technique, the Ying-spring and Shu-stream acupoints can be stimulated simultaneously with one needle. This method is characterized as less acupoints, exquisite needling, strong sensation, easy and safe manipulation, remarkable immediate effect and high curative rate of single treatment. Hence, it is worthy of application in clinical practice.

[Placement repeatability of individual oral stent used in radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Individual oral stent used in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients during radiotherapy can spare the oral mucosa and tongue. This study was to analyze the placement repeatability and feasibility of individual oral stent used in radiotherapy of NPC. METHODS: Individual oral stents were made for 17 naive NPC patients, and three lead markers of 2.0 mm diameter were embedded in each oral stent. The patients wearing individual oral stent were immobilized by thermoplast mask and underwent CT scan. Before and every week during radiotherapy, orthogonal (antero-posterior and lateral) X-ray films were taken in conventional simulator, respectively. Displacements of leader markers in medio-lateral (M-L),antero-posterior (A-P) and cranio-caudal (C-C) directions were respectively calculated and compared on each patient's X-ray films. At the dose of 40 Gy, a repeated CT scan was done with the same thermoplast mask and positioning markers. The displacements of co-ordinating gravity center of three lead markers and three selected bony structures between two sets of CT images for each patient were calculated and compared by ANOVA. RESULTS: A total of 240 X-ray films were taken. The displacements of lead markers were (0.69+/-0.54) mm in M-L direction, (0.49+/-0.62) mm in A-P direction, and (0.56+/-0.57) mm in C-C direction, and the overall vector displacement was (1.2+/-0.77) mm (range, 0-4.98 mm). In three-dimensional method, the displacements of co-ordinating gravity center of three lead markers were (0.75+/-0.68) mm in M-L direction, (1.25+/-1.12) mm in A-P direction, and (1.06+/-0.77) mm in C-C direction, and the overall vector displacement was (2.15+/-0.90) mm (range, 1-4.24 mm). The displacements between gravity center of three lead markers and three bony structures had no significant difference in M-L, A-P, and C-C directions (P>0.05). The overall vector displacements also had no significant difference (P=0.083). CONCLUSION: The placement repeatability of individual oral dental stent in the mouth is very good during radiotherapy of NPC, and dental stent has a fixed position relationship with bony structures.

[Sparing normal oral tissues with individual dental stent in radiotherapy for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: With the progression of radiotherapy techniques, the 5-year overall survival rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients has increased obviously. As the survival time prolonged, more and more attention was paid to various radiation sequelae and the quality of life of the patients. This study was to explore the role of individual dental stent in sparing normal oral tissues for primary NPC patients in radiotherapy by pushing the tongue and a part of oral mucous membrane away from the radiation fields. METHODS: Irradiation dose and volume of the tongue of a NPC patient before and after wearing dental stent was evaluated. A total of 43 patients were randomized into 2 groups: 19 in trial group and 24 in control group. Trial group wore dental stent during radiotherapy, while control group did not. Patients' weight, taste, oral mucous reaction, and tongue mucous reaction before radiotherapy and every week during radiotherapy were examined. RESULTS: Dosimetric analysis proved that the irradiation dose and volume of the tongue decreased obviously in trial group. The occurrence rate of grade 1-2 mucositis of the oral cavity was higher in trial group than in control group (73.68% vs. 62.50%), but the occurrence rate of grade 3-4 mucositis was lower in trial group than in control group (26.32% vs. 37.50%, P=0.470). By the completion of radiotherapy, 4 (21.05%) patients in trial group and 19 (79.17%) in control group suffered from taste dysfunction (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Individual dental stent is useful in sparing the oral mucous membrane and preserving taste for primary NPC patients in radiotherapy.