[The crucial toxic components of ambient fine particles promoted the maturation and differentiation of megakaryocytes].

Objective: To reveal the crucial toxic components of ambient fine particles (PM2.5) that affect the maturation and differentiation of megakaryocytes. Methods: Human megakaryocytes were exposed to the organic fractions, metallic fractions and water-soluble fractions of PM2.5 at two exposure doses (i.e. actual air proportion concentration or the same concentration), respectively. The cell viability was performed to screen the non-cytotoxic levels of toxic components of PM2.5 using the CCK-8 assay. CellTiter-Blue assay, morphological observation, flow cytometry analysis and WGA staining assay were used to evaluate the cell morphological changes, occurrence of DNA ploidy, alteration in the expressions of biomarkers and platelet formation, which were key indicators of the maturation and differentiation of megakaryocytes. Results: Compared to the control group, both metallic and organic components of PM2.5 resulted in a lag in megakaryocytes with an increase in cell volume and the onset of DNA ploidy. Flow cytometry analysis showed that CD33 (the marker of myeloid-specific) decreased and CD41a (a megakaryocyte maturation-associated antigen) increased in metallic and organic components of PM2.5 treatment groups. Moreover, compared to the control group, budding protrusions increased in metallic and organic components of PM2.5 treatment groups. The water-soluble components had no effect on the maturation and differentiation of macrophages. Conclusion: Metallic and organic components of PM2.5 are the crucial toxic components that promote the maturation and differentiation of megakaryocytes.

Interleukin-6 -572G/C polymorphism and prostate cancer susceptibility.

Strong evidence suggests that cancer-associated inflammation promotes tumor growth and progression, and interleukin-6 (IL6) is an important modulator of inflammation. However, the roles of IL6 and mutations of its corresponding gene in prostate cancer have not been clearly documented. We retrieved data from the Oncomine database concerning IL6 expression in prostate cancer and its role in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence. We also performed a case-control study of the IL6 -572G/C polymorphism (rs1800796) in 236 sporadic prostate cancer patients and 256 healthy controls from a southern Han Chinese population. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to assess the association between rs1800796 and prostate cancer susceptibility. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to test the transcriptional activity of the IL6 promoter G and C alleles. IL6 was overexpressed in prostate cancer tissues compared to normal tissues, especially in those with higher Gleason scores. Moreover, elevated IL6 expression was associated with high PSA recurrence rate in Oncomine data. Our case-control study demonstrated that compared with the -572C allele, the -572G allele conferred a borderline increased risk of prostate cancer (OR = 1.31, 95%CI = 0.99-1.74, P = 0.061). This was more pronounced in the subgroup of individuals having never smoked (OR = 1.85, 95%CI = 1.07-3.22). Moreover, the G allele showed increased activity relative to the C allele in the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Our results suggest that the -572G/C polymorphism may be associated with IL6 expression, which in turn plays a role in prostate cancer development.

[Prevalence of tobacco smoking and related factors in people aged 15 years and above in Beijing, 2014-2021].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the implementation of Beijing Smoking Control Regulation in 2015 on the smoking prevalence in people aged ≥15 years in Beijing during 2014-2021, and explore factors associated with tobacco use behavior in local population. Methods Using a pooled cross-sectional design, data from Beijing Adult Tobacco Survey in 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2021 (4 surveys) were combined into one dataset. The 4 surveys used same multistage cluster sampling procedure. After complex survey weighting, multiple logistic regression models were constructed to analyze factors influencing smoking status. Results: A total of 8 484, 9 372, 8 534 and 10 551 respondents were included in the surveys in 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2021, respectively. The smoking prevalence rate was 23.4%, 22.3%, 20.3% and 19.9%, respectively, in Beijing residents aged ≥15 years, exhibiting a linear declining trend (P=0.010). Factors associated with current smoking in men were age 25-44 years (OR=2.22, 95%CI: 1.68-2.95) and 45-64 years, (OR=2.64, 95%CI: 2.06-3.39), educational level of high school (OR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.49-0.95) and undergraduate and above (OR=0.46, 95%CI: 0.33-0.63), and awareness of smoking causing stroke (OR=0.71, 95%CI: 0.61-0.81), and awareness of smoking causing lung cancer (OR=0.53, 95%CI: 0.42-0.66), the differences were significant (all P<0.05). After controlling interfering factors, the current smoking prevalence in men in 2019 (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.63-0.87, P<0.001) and 2021 (OR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.61-0.88, P<0.001) were significantly lower than that in 2014. Factors associated with current smoking in women were living alone (OR=1.80, 95%CI: 1.33-2.44), educational level of undergraduate and above (OR=0.43, 95%CI: 0.27-0.69), other occupations except doctor and teacher (OR=8.54, 95%CI: 2.80-26.02) or being retired/unemployed (OR=9.39, 95%CI: 3.19-27.65), and awareness of smoking causing cardiovascular events (OR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.39-0.84), and awareness of smoking causing lung cancer (OR=0.54, 95%CI: 0.35-0.83), the differences were significant (all P<0.05). No significant change in smoking status in women was found in 4 surveys. Conclusions: The smoking prevalence rate in men in Beijing has declined since the implementation of Beijing Smoking Control Regulation 5 years, indicating the effectiveness of legislative approach in tobacco control. Socio-demographic factors and the awareness level of tobacco harm could influence smoking status. Future tobacco control programs should target the people with lower education level, young men, women living alone, and those with occupations other than teachers/doctors or the unemployed/retired and include more comprehensive health education.

[Survey of exposure to second-hand smoke in residents aged 15 years and over one year after implementation of tobacco control regulation in public places in Beijing].

Objective: To monitor the second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in residents aged 15 years and over in public venues, indoor workplaces, on public transportation vehicles and at home in Beijing and evaluate the effect of Beijing Tobacco Control Regulation. Methods: Data from 2014 and 2016 Beijing Adult Tobacco Survey were used. The surveys covered 16 districts in Beijing. The study subjects were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling with probability proportional to population size, and data were collected by using electronic questionnaire in face-to-face household interviews. A total of 8 484 and 9 372 valid questionnaires were collected for the surveys in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Statistical packages SPSS 20.0 and R 3.4.4 were used for data analyses. After weighting the samples using complex survey designs, the SHS exposure rates in different places in adults of Beijing were estimated. χ(2) tests were performed for the comparison. Results: The SHS exposure rates of residents aged 15 years and over in Beijing who visited health care facilities, government buildings, universities, primary and secondary schools and restaurants declined from 12.8%, 19.7%, 24.3%, 32.8% and 65.7% in 2014 to 6.2%, 10.8%, 12.5%, 19.1% and 32.5% in 2016, respectively. The SHS exposure rates in bars/nightclubs were 89.5% in 2014 and 80.3% in 2016. From 2014 to 2016, the SHS exposure rates declined from 35.7% to 20.0% in indoor workplaces and declined from 3.9% to 2.5% on public transportation vehicles. The SHS exposure rates at home were 39.8% in 2014 and 37.6% in 2016, respectively. Conclusions: The SHS exposure rates in public places declined obviously in Beijing after the one year implementation of Beijing Tobacco Control Regulation, indicating the effect of the regulation implementation.

The efficacy and economic benefits of Supercox, a live anticoccidial vaccine in a commercial trial in broiler chickens in China.

The efficacy and economic benefits of Supercox, a live anticoccidial vaccine were examined and compared with an anticoccidial drug in a trial in broiler chickens under modern commercial conditions in China. In total, 40,660 chickens were used in the present study, half of which were vaccinated with the Supercox vaccine comprising a precocious line of Eimeria tenella and non-attenuated lines of Eimeria maxima and Eimeria acervulina, and the other half were medicated with Diclazuril delivered as feed additive at the dosage of 1mg/kg of feed. The vaccine was administered orally to 7-day-old chickens. No clinical diseases were diagnosed in any of the vaccinated birds. However, clinical coccidiosis occurred in a large proportion of medicated control birds and these chickens had to be treated with anticoccidial drugs (Diclazuril and Toltrazuril). Comparison of production performance between vaccinated birds and medicated control birds revealed that the vaccine Supercox performed better than anticoccidial drugs in terms of mortalities, costs and overall economic benefits (profits). These findings demonstrated that the use of the Supercox vaccine could control clinical coccidiosis in broilers and achieve production performance superior to that using anticoccidial drugs, particularly where drug resistance might result in failure to control clinical diseases.

Current surgical interests in China.

Until recently, China had been isolated from Western countries for almost 30 years. Surgeons of Western countries, perhaps, are interested to know what is happening in surgery in China. This communication reviews the current interests in Chinese surgery. It is by no means complete, nor is that the intention. The intention is to introduce to our foreign colleagues a general overview of some highlights in Chinese surgery.

Surgical treatment of carcinoma of the esophagus and cardiac portion of the stomach in 850 patients.

From 1961 to 1978, 850 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus or cardiac portion of the stomach were operated on in the Capital Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Eighty-three percent of the patients were men, and about 45% of the patients ranged from 51 through 60 years old. Just over half of the patients were seen when the lesion was at a late stage of development. The thirty-day postoperative mortality among 664 patients with a restricted lesion was 10%. Leakage of the esophagogastric anastomosis was the chief cause of morbidity, and about half of the patients with this condition died. The 5-year survival among these 664 patients with a restricted lesion was 22%. Retrospective review of the literature confirmed the possibility of further increasing resectability, further decreasing mortality, and providing greater long-term survival if early complete resection of the tumor can be carried out.

Tracheobronchial tumors: an eighteen-year series from Capital Hospital, Peking, China.

From 1961 to 1979 in Capital Hospital, Peking, China, 27 patients with tracheobronchial tumors were treated: 20 underwent operation and 7 were managed by palliative measures. All 27 patients had an intraluminal lesion of the trachea or major bronchi. Respiratory obstruction was the main clinical manifestation of the tracheal tumors. Chronic suppurative infection of the lung was the principal clinical manifestation of the bronchial tumors. Histological diagnosis of these 27 patients revealed ten different cell types: squamous cell carcinoma (10 patients, including the 7 who did not undergo operation); adenoid cystic carcinoma (5 patients); carcinoid, hamartoma, neurofibroma, and papilloma (2 patients each, respectively); and leiomyoma, hemangioma, chondroma, and teratoma (1 each, respectively). The operative methods used in 20 patients were lateral resection of tracheal wall (2 patients), resection of left main bronchial root (1), local excision (5), lobectomy (5), pneumonectomy (3), bronchoscopy (1), and exploratory operation and tracheostomy (3). Local excision or lateral wall resection of the trachea was chosen for benign or less dangerously malignant tracheal tumors. Lobectomy or pneumonectomy was performed for the secondarily infected, destroyed lungs in patients with bronchial tumors.

Clinical and pathological characteristics of carcinosarcoma of the esophagus: report of four cases.

Carcinosarcoma of the esophagus is a rare malignant neoplasm composed of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. Four out of 850 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus or the cardiac portion of the stomach undergoing operation at Capital Hospital, Beijing, had carcinosarcoma of the esophagus. They ranged from 50 to 58 years old, but only 45% of all 850 patients with carcinoma were in the age group from 51 through 60 years old. All 4 patients with carcinosarcoma of the esophagus were men. On barium swallow esophagogram, the 4 patients had a characteristic intraluminal polypoid lesion in the middle third of the esophagus. Such lesions of the esophagus also can occur in patients with benign fibrovascular polyps, leiomyoma, and the polypoid form of esophageal carcinoma and esophageal melanoma. The last two can be differentiated from carcinosarcoma only by pathological examination after excision. After radical excision and esophagogastrostomy, the 4 patients were followed up for 19, 4, 4, and 3 years. They were in good condition without recurrence.

Bronchogenic carcinoma: a study of patients treated at Capital Hospital, Peking, China.

From 1961 to 1972, 123 patients with lung cancer underwent operations at Capital Hospital, Peking, China. Ninety-six patients had resectable lesions and 27 did not, a resectability rate of 78%. Four patients (4.2%) died immediately postoperatively. Complications occurred in 8 (8.3%) patients. Five-year survival in this group of 92 survivors was 26 (28.3%). Ten-year survival among 49 patients was 10 (20.4%). Among the 92 five-year survivors, 41.2% had squamous cell carcinoma, 25% had adenocarcinoma, and 16% had undifferentiated carcinoma. Patients with squamous cell carcinoma had a much longer survival than the others. Six factors appear to influence survival after resection: cell type, presence of lymph node metastases, presence of tumor emboli in blood vessels, sex, age, and location. Men about 50 years of age, with a peripherally located squamous cell tumor and with no tumor emboli or lymph node metastases, have a good chance of surviving a pulmonary resection for ten years.

Resection of pulmonary metastatic choriocarcinoma in 43 drug-resistant patients.

A regimen of multiple intermittent intensive doses of chemotherapy (chiefly 5-fluorouracil) was used in a series of 806 women with choriocarcinoma and malignant mole. The rate of complete remission of choriocarcinoma was 78.6%, and approximately 85% of the patients survived for more than 5 years. From 1962 through 1982, pulmonary metastatic choriocarcinoma was found to be resistant to chemotherapeutic agents in 43 of these patients; they subsequently underwent lung resection. There were no postoperative deaths, and the 5-year survival was 50%. These are relatively good results for patients with long-standing and widely disseminated choriocarcinoma. Human chorionic gonadotropin titer in urine and blood and variations of lung shadows are important criteria in selecting candidates for lung resection. For preservation of lung function, simple lobectomy is the first choice. Better long-term survival was obtained in patients who had a solitary lung lesion on admission without other major organ metastases and in those in whom the lung lesion was well encapsulated and became necrotic after chemotherapy.

Clinical and pathologic characteristics in patients with tracheobronchial tumor: report of 50 patients.

From January, 1961, to July, 1985, 50 patients in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital with intraluminal tracheobronchial tumors were operated on. There was no gender or age predominance either in the 24 patients with tracheal tumor or in the 26 patients with bronchial tumor. The 13 cell types found in these patients' specimens were divided into four groups: malignant, low-grade malignant, benign with tendency to recur and benign without tendency to recur. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma were the most common tumors of the trachea. Carcinoid and adenoid cystic carcinoma were the most common tumors of the bronchus in this group of patients. Conservative excision with postoperative irradiation may be sufficient for patients with advanced lesions of low-grade malignancy.

Apoxesis of primary tracheal tumor. A clinical analysis of 23 cases.

During a 17-year period, 23 patients with primary tracheal tumors underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, PUMC Hospital (11 cases of benign tumor of the trachea, 12 cases of low malignancies). Fourteen times of apoxesis were performed in 11 patients with benign tumors who were followed up for an average of 6.3 years. Fifteen operations were performed in 12 cases including local resection of the tracheal wall and tumor in 4, and curettage of tumor plus electric cauterization on the basis in 10. Eight of 9 patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma received postoperative adjuvant irradiation, with a 5-year postoperative survival rate of 75% (6/8) and 3 cases survived over ten years. The desirability of apoxesis and local resection of tracheal tumor is discussed. The authors suggest that these two surgical patterns can be regarded as a simple and effective treatment for patients with primary tracheal tumors.

[HPLC determination of 4-[4"-(2",2",6",6"-tetramethyl-1"-piperidinyloxy) amino]-4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin in rat plasma and studies of its pharmacokinetics].

4-[4"-(2",2",6",6"-tetramethyl-1"-piperidinyloxy) amino]-4'- demethylepipodophyllotoxin (GP-7) is a new podophyllotoxin spin-labeled derivative. Its primary effect is the antitumor activity on transplanted mouse tumors and cultured tumor cells. This paper describes a method for its determination using HPLC with UV detection and the determination of its pharmacokinetic parameters in rats. A Shimadzu LC-6A liquid chromatograph equipped with a Shimadzu SPD-6AV multiwavelength detector and a Chromatopac C-R3A data processor was used. The separation was performed on a Zorbax-ODS column (5 microns, 4.6 mm x 150 mm) with a mobile phase of methanol--water--glacial acetic acid (59:41:0.6). The flow-rate was 1.0 ml.min-1 and detection was made at 285 nm. A plasma specimen (0.2 ml) was spiked with 22.6 micrograms.ml-1 internal standard (podophyllic acid piperidinyl hydrazone nitroxide radical, GP-1) and extracted with ether--dichloromethane (3:1). The extract was evaporated at 45 degrees C. The residue was taken up with 0.1 ml of the mobile phase and 20 microliters aliquots were injected into the system. The calibration curve was linear in the range from 2 to 200 micrograms.ml-1 with r = 0.9997. The detection limit was 0.2 microgram.ml-1 and the recovery of GP-7 from rat plasma was 94.3%-100.9%. The relative standard deviations for within- day and between-day were 2.29%-4.64% and 5.55%-7.70%, respectively. After iv injection of GP-7 10, 20 and 30 mg.kg-1, the concentrations of the drug in rat plasma were determined. The pharmacokinetic parameters of GP-7 were obtained by using MCPKP program on a COMPAC-486 computer. The data obtained fitted a two-compartment open model, and the mean T1/2 beta value was 39.8 +/- 10.8 min.

[Total gastrectomy via thoracotomy for cancer of gastric cardia and fundus. Report of 90 cases].

From 1978 through 1990, 90 total gastrectomy with esophagojejunostomy via thoracotomy were performed for the treatment of cancer of cardia or fundus of stomach. 85/90 patients were at TNM III-stage and 5/90-at IV-stage. 30-day post-resectional mortality was 1.1%. Five-year survival rate was 13.8%. 14CO2 respiratory test and clinical evaluation of 34 post-operative patients showed that total gastrectomy may decrease the incidence of positive residual cancer along the incision lines. It may also spare the patient from small-stomach syndrome. There was no statistical difference in postoperative fat absorption and digestive function between ordinary proximal subtotal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy.

Clinical study of transarterial chemoembolization combined with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Monotherapy is not very effective for intermediate or advanced stage HCC. Efficacy of combined therapy using transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3-DCRT) for advanced HCC should be evaluated. METHODS: HCC patients were selected from our patient database. The sequence of treatments that patients underwent was several courses of TACE followed in 2-4 weeks by 3-DCRT. The median tumor irradiation dose was 44Gy. Toxicity, tumor response, and overall survival rate were analyzed. RESULTS: 140 HCC patients were followed up by the last follow-up time. Among these patients, hepatic toxicities due to treatment were notable in 15 cases. Gastrointestinal bleeding after the overall treatment occurred in 3 cases. Leukopenia of grade III was detected in 1 case. Radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) was observed in 3 patients. Among 140 patients, 27, 97, and 16 cases achieved partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease, respectively. The overall survival rates of 1-year, 3-years, and 5-years were 66%, 29%, and 13%, respectively, with a median survival time of 18 months. Both Child-Pugh grade and radiation dose were determined to be independent predictors for overall survival from multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The combined modality of TACE and 3-DCRT is a promising treatment for unresectable HCC. A large-scale, prospective randomized trial should be performed to confirm the utility of this combined therapy.