[Analysis on the status quo of the awareness rate of core knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment and its influencing factors among residents in Liaoning Province in 2021].

Objective: To analyze the status quo of the knowledge and related factors of cancer prevention and treatment among residents in Liaoning Province in 2021. Methods: From August to November 2021, through network sampling method, 17 474 permanent residents aged 15-69 years in Liaoning Province were surveyed. The WeChat public account was used to collect information such as demographic characteristics and core knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment. The Chi-square test was used to compare the difference of the level of the cancer prevention and treatment knowledge among different groups. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors. Results: Among the 17 474 subjects, 43.1% (7 528) were male and 58.7% (10 262) were urban residents. The overall awareness rate was 72.3%, and the awareness rate of cancer cognition, prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, cancer management and rehabilitation were 71.4%, 67.6%, 72.7%, 83.4% and 63.5%, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that the residents who were man (OR: 0.850, 95%CI: 0.781-0.925), in rural areas (OR: 0.753, 95%CI: 0.694-0.817), 55-59 years old (OR: 0.851, 95%CI: 0.751-0.963), quitters (OR: 0.721, 95%CI: 0.640-0.813) and smoker (OR: 0.724, 95%CI: 0.654-0.801) had lower awareness rates, while the residents who were 35-54 years old (OR: 1.312, 95%CI: 1.202-1.432), with an educational level of junior high school/senior high school/college degree or above (OR: 1.834-5.130, 95%CI: 1.575-6.047), technical personnel (OR: 1.592, 95%CI: 1.367-1.854), civil servant/institution staff (OR: 1.282, 95%CI: 1.094-1.503), enterprise/business/service staff (OR: 1.218, 95%CI: 1.071-1.385), retired (OR: 1.324, 95%CI: 1.114-1.573) and with family history of cancer (OR: 1.369, 95%CI: 1.266-1.481) had higher awareness rates. Conclusion: The level of the awareness of core knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment among residents in Liaoning Province has met the requirements of the Healthy China Action. Region, gender, education level, age, family history of cancer and smoking are relevant factors.

[Open hepatectomy versus laparoscopic in the treatment of primary left-sided hepatolithiasis: a propensity, long-term follow-up analysis at a single center].

To compare short-term and long-term efficacy after laparoscopic left hepatectomy(LLR) to open left hepatectomy(OLH) for primary left-sided hepatolithiasis. Methods: Clinical data of 187 patients with left-sided hepatolithiasis and underwent laparoscopically or open left-sided hepatectomy from October 2014 to October 2019 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were retrospectively analyzed in this propensity score matching (PSM) study and were matched in terms of age, sex, body mass index, liver function, ASA score, comorbidities, history of biliary surgery, and smoking history on the ratio of 1∶1.There were 47 cases in each group and the mean age were (54.7±12.3)years old(range:34 to 75 years old) and (53.2±12.6) years old (range: 34 to 75 years old) in open and laparoscopically group respectively. The data of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital-stay, complication rate, biliary fistula rate, stone clearance rate, and stone recurrence rate were compared. The quantitative data were compared using t-test or rank-sum test. Count data were analyzed with χ(2) test or Fisher test. Results: No significant difference was observed in the clinical characteristics of included 94 patients in this study(all P>0.05).The length of the postoperative hospital-stay after OLH was significantly higher than that in the LLH group((10.8±3.1) days vs.(8.5±2.2)days, t=4.085, P=0.000). LLR significantly decreased the incidence of postoperative biliary fistula compared with the OLH (6.3% vs.21.2%, χ(2)=4.374, P=0.036) and the rates of postoperative complications in the OLH group was significantly higher than that in the LLH group (48.9% vs.27.6%, χ(2)=4.502, P=0.034). Moreover, the stone recurrence rates in the LLH group was significantly lower than that after OLR (4.2% vs. 17.0%, χ(2)=4.029, P=0.045). OLH (95% CI: 1.55 to 10.75, P=0.004) and postoperative complications (95% CI: 1.29 to 9.52, P=0.013) were independent risk factors for prolonged hospital stay. OLH (95% CI: 1.428 to 44.080, P=0.018) and residual stones (95% CI: 1.580 to 62.379, P=0.014) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of postoperative biliary fistula. Biliary fistula (95% CI: 1.078 to 24.517, P=0.040) was an independent risk factor for the recurrence of stones. Conclusion: Compared with OLH, LLH is safe and effective for the treatment of the primary left-sided hepatolithiasis with the clinical benefits of shorter hospital stay, fewer morbidity and biliary fistula occurrence, and lower stone recurrence rates.

Quality estimation of non-demolition measurement with lossy atom-light hybrid interferometers.

The atom-light hybrid interferometer recently attracted much attention in the research of precision metrology for its combination of light and atomic spin wave. With the AC Stark effect and proper design, it can be applied in the scheme of quantum non-demolition (QND) measurement of photon numbers. In this work, we apply the QND criteria to the scheme and theoretically derive its explicit formulas with various losses of the atomic-light hybrid interferometer. With the formulas and actual experiment parameters, we estimate and compare the performance of the vapor-atom-based and cold-atom-based hybrid interferometer in the QND measurement, analyze the influences of different kinds of losses, and provide optimized working parameter ranges of the interferometer.

Retraction Note: Structural simulation of adenosine phosphate via plumbagin and zoledronic acid competitively targets JNK/Erk to synergistically attenuate osteoclastogenesis in a breast cancer model.

This article has been retracted at the request of the authors. After publication, the authors found that in Figure 2B-a the first two images in the third row partly overlapped and that there is also overlap between the fourth and fifth image in the second row. The two images were taken from two adjacent wells, treated by ZA 0.3uM-CM or ZA 0.75uM-CM, with or without PL 1.25uM. This overlap may have been caused by mishandling in the imaging process when the authors made microscope observations and so the findings are no longer reliable. All authors agree to this retraction.

Structural simulation of adenosine phosphate via plumbagin and zoledronic acid competitively targets JNK/Erk to synergistically attenuate osteoclastogenesis in a breast cancer model.

The treatment of breast cancer-induced osteolysis remains a challenge in clinical settings. Here, we explored the effect and mechanism of combined treatment with zoledronic acid (ZA) and plumbagin (PL), a widely investigated component derived from Plumbago zeylanica, against breast cancer-induced osteoclastogenesis. We found that the combined treatment with PL and ZA suppressed cell viability of precursor osteoclasts and synergistically inhibited MDA-MB-231-induced osteoclast formation (combination index=0.28) with the abrogation of recombinant mouse receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced activation of NF-κB/MAPK (nuclear factor-κB/mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways. Molecular docking suggested a putative binding area within c-Jun N-terminal kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (JNK/Erk) protease active sites through the structural mimicking of adenosine phosphate (ANP) by the spatial combination of PL with ZA. A homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assay further illustrated the direct competitiveness of the dual drugs against ANP docking to phosphorylated JNK/Erk, contributing to the inhibited downstream expression of c-Jun/c-Fos/NFATc-1 (nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 1). Then, in vivo testing demonstrated that the combined administration of PL and ZA attenuated breast cancer growth in the bone microenvironment. Additionally, these molecules prevented the destruction of proximal tibia, with significant reduction of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP)-positive osteoclast cells and potentiation of apoptotic cancer cells, to a greater extent when combined than when the drugs were applied independently. Altogether, the combination treatment with PL and ZA could significantly and synergistically suppress osteoclastogenesis and inhibit tumorigenesis both in vitro and in vivo by simulating the spatial structure of ANP to inhibit competitively phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (JNK/Erk).

Comparative analysis of clinicoradiologic characteristics of lung adenocarcinomas with ALK rearrangements or EGFR mutations.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinicoradiologic features of tumours with echinoderm anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, or wild type (WT) for both genes in a cohort of patients with lung adenocarcinoma to identify useful characteristics of different gene statuses. METHODS: In 346 lung adenocarcinoma patients, ALK rearrangements were confirmed with fluorescence in situ hybridisation, and EGFR mutations were determined by pyrosequencing assay. Patients were divided into three groups: ALK rearrangement (ALK+ group, n = 48), EGFR mutation (EGFR+ group, n = 166), and WT for both genes (WT group, n = 132). Chest computed tomography (CT) examinations were performed in all patients. The percentages of ground-glass opacity volume (pGGO) and tumour shadow disappearance rate (TDR) were measured using semi-automated nodule assessment software. RESULTS: The pGGO was significantly lower in the ALK+ group (25.1 % ± 24.3) than in the EGFR+ group (37.2 % ± 25.7, p < 0.001) and the WT group (36.1 % ± 24.6, p = 0.001). The TDR in the ALK+ group (17.3 % ± 25.1) was significantly lower than in the EGFR+ group (26.8 % ± 24.9, p = 0.002) and the WT group (25.7 % ± 24.6, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Solid pattern with lower incidence of lobulated border, finely spiculated margins, pleural retraction, and bubble-like lucency on CT imaging are the main characteristics of ALK rearrangement tumours. KEY POINTS: • EGFR/ALK testing is recommended for lung adenocarcinoma patients for EGFR/ALK-targeted TKI therapy. • EGFR /ALK testing is restricted by limited tissue samples and cost pressures. • Lower pGGO and TDR are the main clinicoradiological characteristics of ALK+ tumours. • pGGO and TDR are predictive factors for selecting patients for ALK/EGFR testing.

Comparison between transareola singlesite endoscopic thyroidectomy and minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare surgical outcomes between transareola single-site endoscopic thyroidectomy (TASSET) and minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT). METHODS: Patients with thyroid nodules were randomized to TASSET (n = 24) or MIVAT (n = 24). Surgical outcomes and patient-rated cosmetic results, based on numerical (0 [worst], 10 [best]) and verbal (1 [poor], 4 [excellent]) response scales, were compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups for age, sex, indication for operation, estimated blood loss, postoperative pain and length of postoperative stay. TASSET was associated with a significantly longer mean ± SD operative time than MIVAT (156.84 ± 41.42 vs. 66.38 ± 17.58 min), and significantly improved cosmetic results according to the numerical (9.63 ± 0.60 vs 7.90 ± 1.38) and verbal response (3.8 ± 0.5 vs 3.1 ± 0.7) scales. Postoperative complaints were comparable between the two approaches, although MIVAT involved a shorter operation time. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with TASSET had superior cosmetic results compared with those treated with MIVAT.

Antidepressant activity of aqueous extracts of Curcuma longa in mice.

Curcuma longa (turmeric) is a well-known indigenous herbal medicine. The aqueous extracts, when administered orally to the mice from 140 to 560 mg/kg for 14 days, were able to elicit dose-dependent relation of immobility reduction in the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test in mice. The effects of the extracts at the dose of 560 mg/kg were more potent than that of reference antidepressant fluoxetine. The extracts, at the dose of 140 mg/kg or above for 14 days, significantly inhibited the monoamine oxidize A (MAO) activity in mouse whole brain at a dose-dependent manner, however, oral administration of the extract only at a dose of 560 mg/kg produced observable MAO B inhibitory activity in animal brain. Fluoxetine showed only a tendency to inhibit MAO A and B activity in animal brain in the study. Neither the extracts of C. longa nor fluoxetine, at the doses tested, produced significant effects on locomotor activity. These results demonstrated that C. longa had specifically antidepressant effects in vivo. The activity of C. longa in antidepression may mediated in part through MAO A inhibition in mouse brain.

N-Methylformamide in advanced squamous cancer of the uterine cervix: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group phase II trial.

PURPOSE: Preclinical and clinical data support the study of polar-planar compounds such as N-Methylformamide (NMF) in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (SCC). This phase II trial sought to determine the efficacy and toxicities of NMF in patients with advanced SCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligibility for this trial required bidimensionally measurable squamous or adenosquamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix incurable by surgery or radiation therapy, ECOG performance status of < or = 2, no prior NMF and no more than one prior chemotherapy regimen. Patients received NMF at 2000 mg/m2 intravenously over 15-30 minutes days 1, 8 and 15. The cycle was repeated every 42 days. A single dose escalation of 25%, 500 mg/m2 was made after the first cycle if the toxicities did not exceed grade I for hepatic toxicity and grade II for nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: From July 1987 through September 1998, 21 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were entered on study. Two patients were ineligible because there was no pretreatment SGOT on one and the other deteriorated prior to drug approval. Therefore, 19 patients were include in the analysis of response and survival. Four were inevaluable, three due to inappropriate tumor evaluation and one secondary to grade III vomiting, who went off study. These patients were included in the denominator while computing the results. There were 2 deaths, one due to pulmonary hemorrhage from perforation during central venous insertion and one due to disease. 30% (6/19) patients had toxicities, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) grade III or higher and 2 of these patients suffered multiple grade III toxicities. There were no complete or partial responses. CONCLUSION: In this population, NMF in the dose and schedule employed exhibited no clinical activity.

Apoptotic and antiapoptotic mechanisms in stroke.

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that occurs in neurons during development of the nervous system and may also be a prominent form of neuronal death in chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Recent findings also implicate apoptosis in neuronal degeneration after ischemic brain injury in animal models of stroke. Activation of both apoptotic and antiapoptotic signaling cascades occurs in neurons in animal and cell culture models of stroke. Apoptotic cascades involve: increased levels of intracellular oxyradicals and calcium; induction of expression of proteins such as Par-4 (prostate apoptosis response-4), which act by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and suppressing antiapoptotic mechanisms; mitochondrial membrane depolarization, calcium uptake, and release of factors (e.g., cytochrome c) that ultimately induce nuclear DNA condensation and fragmentation; activation of cysteine proteases of the caspase family; activation of transcription factors such as AP-1 that may induce expression of "killer genes." Antiapoptotic signaling pathways are activated by neurotrophic factors, certain cytokines, and increases in oxidative and metabolic stress. Such protective pathways include: activation of the transcription factors (e.g., nuclear factor-kappa B, NF-kappa B) that induce expression of stress proteins, antioxidant enzymes, and calcium-regulating proteins; phosphorylation-mediated modulation of ion channels and membrane transporters; cytoskeletal alterations that modulate calcium homeostasis; and modulation of proteins that stabilize mitochondrial function (e.g., Bcl-2). Intervention studies in experimental stroke models have identified a battery of approaches of potential benefit in reducing neuronal death in stroke patients, including administration of antioxidants, calcium-stabilizing agents, caspase inhibitors, and agents that activate NF-kappa B. Interestingly, recent studies suggest novel dietary approaches (e.g., food restriction and supplementation with antioxidants) that may reduce brain damage following stroke.

Pivotal role for acidic sphingomyelinase in cerebral ischemia-induced ceramide and cytokine production, and neuronal apoptosis.

Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability, the severity of which is directly related to the numbers of neurons that succumb to the ischemic insult. The signaling cascades activated by cerebral ischemia that may either promote or protect against neuronal death are not well understood. One injury-responsive signaling pathway that has recently been characterized in studies of non-neural cells involves cleavage of membrane sphingomyelin by acidic and/or neutral sphingomyelinase (ASMase) resulting in generation of the second messenger ceramide. We now report that transient focal cerebral ischemia induces large increases in ASMase activity, ceramide levels, and production of inflammatory cytokines in wild-type mice, but not in mice lacking ASMase. The extent of brain tissue damage is decreased and behavioral outcome improved in mice lacking ASMase. Neurons lacking ASMase exhibit decreased vulnerability to excitotoxicity and hypoxia, which is associated with decreased levels of intracellular calcium and oxyradicals. Treatment of mice with a drug that inhibits ASMase activity and ceramide production reduces ischemic neuronal injury and improves behavioral outcome, suggesting that drugs that inhibit this signaling pathway may prove beneficial in stroke patients.

Dietary restriction and 2-deoxyglucose administration reduce focal ischemic brain damage and improve behavioral outcome: evidence for a preconditioning mechanism.

Stroke, an age-related disorder involving degeneration of neurons resulting from cerebral ischemia, is a major cause of disability and mortality. Although dietary restriction (DR) extends lifespan and reduces levels of cellular oxidative stress in several different organ systems including the brain, the impact of DR on ischemic brain injury is unknown. We report that maintenance of adult rats on a DR regimen resulted in reduced brain damage and improved behavioral outcome in a middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion (MCAO-R) stroke model. Administration of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), a nonmetabolizable analogue of glucose, to rats fed ad libitum resulted in reduced ischemic brain damage and improved behavioral outcome following MCAO-R. 2-DG protected cultured hippocampal neurons against chemical hypoxia, demonstrating a direct protective action on neurons. DR and 2-DG administration resulted in an increase in the level of the stress protein heat-shock protein 70 (HSP-70) in striatal cells in vivo, and 2-DG treatment induced HSP-70 in cultured neurons suggesting involvement of a preconditioning stress response in the neuroprotective actions of DR and 2-DG. The neuroprotective effect of DR and 2-DG in this focal cerebral ischemia model suggests that outcome following stroke may be improved in individuals who follow a regimen of reduced food intake.

Uric acid protects neurons against excitotoxic and metabolic insults in cell culture, and against focal ischemic brain injury in vivo.

Uric acid is a well-known natural antioxidant present in fluids and tissues throughout the body. Oxyradical production and cellular calcium overload are believed to contribute to the damage and death of neurons that occurs following cerebral ischemia in victims of stroke. We now report that uric acid protects cultured rat hippocampal neurons against cell death induced by insults relevant to the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia, including exposure to the excitatory amino acid glutamate and the metabolic poison cyanide. Confocal laser scanning microscope analyses showed that uric acid suppresses the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite), and lipid peroxidation, associated with each insult. Mitochondrial function was compromised by the excitotoxic and metabolic insults, and was preserved in neurons treated with uric acid. Delayed elevations of intracellular free calcium levels induced by glutamate and cyanide were significantly attenuated in neurons treated with uric acid. These data demonstrate a neuroprotective action of uric acid that involves suppression of oxyradical accumulation, stabilization of calcium homeostasis, and preservation of mitochondrial function. Administration of uric acid to adult rats either 24 hr prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion (62.5 mg uric acid/kg, intraperitoneally) or 1 hr following reperfusion (16 mg uric acid/kg, intravenously) resulted in a highly significant reduction in ischemic damage to cerebral cortex and striatum, and improved behavioral outcome. These findings support a central role for oxyradicals in excitotoxic and ischemic neuronal injury, and suggest a potential therapeutic use for uric acid in ischemic stroke and related neurodegenerative conditions.

[Studies on desensitization of GABAB receptor coupled adenylate cyclase].

After preincubation of crude synaptic membranes (P2 membranes) with phorber ester (PMA) or GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (BAL), the rate of inhibition of BAL on basal adenylate cyclase (AC) activity and forskolin-stimulated AC activity significantly reduced (desensitized). This effect of BAL did not change after preincubation with forskolin suggesting that the desensitization mechanism of GABAB receptor coupled AC is related with activation of protein kinase C (PKC), but not with protein kinase A. It was further found that the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of GABAB receptor was increased during desensitization. Our results suggest that PKC activation may cause some structural or conformational changes of GABAB receptor, resulting in an uncoupling from G protein and desensitization of GABAB receptor-coupled AC.

[Improvement of learning and memory functions by GABAB receptor antagonists in mice].

In one trial passive avoidance response in mice, the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)B receptor agonist baclofen and antagonist CGP35348 and CGP36742 on acquisition, consolidation and retrieval of memory were observed. The results showed that the antagonists could significantly promote the acquisition impairment induced by baclofen, the consolidation impairment induced by baclofen and NaNO2, and the retrieval impairment induced by baclofen and 30% alcohol. These results suggest that the GABAB receptor antagonists may become a novel type of drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

[32 cases of sudden deafness treated with sequential external counterpulsation in addition to combined traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine therapy].

The present study includes 32 cases of sudden deafness treated with Sequential External Counterpulsation in addition to combined TCM-WM therapy, 30 cases treated with combined TCM-WM, and 30 cases treated with WM alone. The clinical findings of these 3 groups were quite similar, hence they were comparable. The mean duration of treatment, percentage of effectiveness and percentage of recurrence within 3 years were 13 days, 75% and 16.6% respectively in the first group; 19 days, 56.6% and 29.4% in the second group; and 21 days, 53.2% and 37.5% in the third group. The first group showed shorter duration of treatment higher effective rate and lower recurrence rate; and all their differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The data revealed that, the treatment of sudden deafness with Sequential External Counterpulsation in addition to combined TCM-WM has great advantage over treatment with combined TCM-WM or WM alone.

[Studies of the spasm-relieving effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.--Aster tataricus L.F. pulvis mixture on the trachea in guinea pigs].

The experiment shows that high concentration of Aster tataricus plus Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. can inhibit the tracheal systoliea caused by histamine, but for tracheal systoliea caused by acetylcholine the inhibition is indistinct. The experiment also shows that Aster tataricus, glycyrrhiza uralensis and Tussilago far fara L. combined have coordinated inhibiting effect on the tracheal systoliea caused by histamine and acetylcholine.

Infiltrating lymphocytes and accessory cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The infiltrating lymphocytes (LCs) and accessory cells (ACs) including dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes/macrophages in nasopharyngeal biopsies taken from 4 groups of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients were observed by using an immunostaining technique and the correlation of the results to the clinical manifestations and follow-up data was examined. The findings were as follows. (1) NPCs without lymph node metastasis always had marked infiltrating LCs and DCs as compared with those with lymph node(s) metastasis. (2) Advanced NPCs with lymph node(s) involvement (T1-4N1-3M0) and a rapid development of distant metastasis followed by death within 1 year after radiotherapy always showed fewer infiltrating LCs and DCs as compared with those with lymph node(s) metastasis (T1-4N1-3M0) and having longer than 5-year survival after radiotherapy. The amount of both LCs and ACs, especially DCs, infiltrating in NPC tissues appears to be an indicator of the activity of host immune defence mechanisms against cancer and influences the progression of the neoplasm as well as the prognosis.

Ultrasonic studies of the effect of artemisia decoction on the volume and dynamics of gallbladder.

This paper deals with the ultrasonic studies of the effect of artemisia decoction (AD) on the volume and motion of gallbladder in 33 cases. Ultrasonic examination shows that AD intravenous infusion has remarkable effects on the contractility of gallbladder. There are 4 patterns of phasic changes in the motion of gallbladder and an increase in frequency of its contraction and relaxation. AD has also certain contraction effects on the gallbladders which can not contract after a fatty meal. The above findings indicate that AD is a good choleretic and has a definite regulating effect on the motility of the gallbladder. The clinical use of AD is conducive to bile flow, stone expelling, inhibiting the deposition of bile solids and reducing the possibility of stone formation.