Holter electrocardiogram research trends and hotspots: bibliometrics and visual analysis.

OBJECTIVE: With the help of metrology, we can identify research hotspots and development trends in dynamic electrocardiography, and thereby provide corresponding reference material to aid further theoretical research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All research data derived from the core collection of Web of Science, and all searches were completed on the same day (February 6, 2022). The obtained data were stored in plain text format and imported into CiteSpace for subsequent analysis. Citation analysis and visualization technology were used to draw a visual map of the research elements, using factors such as annual literature volume, country, journal, author, abstract, keywords, and citation. RESULTS: After screening, 2,937 papers were obtained. Research on ambulatory electrocardiography is increasing worldwide every year. Using research hotspots, keyword-clustering time-zone maps, and high-frequency emerging words, the research in this field was roughly divided into two stages, with 2017 as the divider. The first stage primarily focuses on areas such as atrial fibrillation, stroke, autonomic nerve function, catheter ablation, and T-wave alternation. The second stage saw the focus shift to wearable devices, sudden cardiac death, obstructive sleep apnea, feature extraction, cryptogenic stroke, and similar topics. CONCLUSIONS: With the development of various wearable technologies, the daily monitoring of healthy people engaged in sporting activities and the development of innovative analysis algorithms providing more accurate data may represent the hotspots and direction of future research.

[Association of BMI with acute exacerbation in mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in community: a prospective study].

Objective: BMI may play a protective role in reducing the mortality rate of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but its effect on acute exacerbation of COPD remain unclear. Methods: Subjects were selected from the COPD patients registration system established in 2014 in Pudong new district, Shanghai. COPD patients from 8 communities were selected by cluster sampling and follow up was conducted prospectively for 18 months. Basic information and BMI were obtained from baseline survey, and acute exacerbations were collected during follow-up. The association between BMI and risk of acute exacerbation was evaluated by using multiple negative binomial regression. Results: Among 328 community COPD patients, 295 who completed the follow up were included in the analysis, in whom 96.3% (284/295) were mild COPD patients. During the follow-up, 11.1% (33/295) of the patients reported acute exacerbation. The results of multiple negative binomial regression suggested that, the risk for acute exacerbation decreased with the increase of BMI (IRR=0.85, 95%CI:0.73-0.98), overweight patients with BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2 (IRR=0.36, 95%CI:0.13-0.91) or moderate BMI (T2 vs. T1, IRR=0.31, 95%CI:0.11-0.77) had lower risk for acute exacerbation compared with the patients with normal or low BMI. BMI had a linear correlation with the risk of acute exacerbation. Conclusion: The risk for acute exacerbation in patients with mild or moderate COPD in communities decreased with the increase of BMI, and being overweight might be a protective factor for the acute exacerbation of COPD.

Parameters optimization method for the time-delayed reservoir computing with a nonlinear duffing mechanical oscillator.

Reservoir computing (RC) is a recently introduced bio-inspired computational framework capable of excellent performances in the temporal data processing, owing to its derivation from the recurrent neural network (RNN). It is well-known for the fast and effective training scheme, as well as the ease of the hardware implementation, but also the problematic sensitivity of its performance to the optimizable architecture parameters. In this article, a particular time-delayed RC with a single clamped-clamped silicon beam resonator that exhibits a classical Duffing nonlinearity is presented and its optimization problem is studied. Specifically, we numerically analyze the nonlinear response of the resonator and find a quasi-linear bifurcation point shift of the driving voltage with the driving frequency sweeping, which is called Bifurcation Point Frequency Modulation (BPFM). Furthermore, we first proposed that this method can be used to find the optimal driving frequency of RC with a Duffing mechanical resonator for a given task, and then put forward a comprehensive optimization process. The high performance of RC presented on four typical tasks proves the feasibility of this optimization method. Finally, we envision the potential application of the method based on the BPFM in our future work to implement the RC with other mechanical oscillators.

Irisin alleviates renal injury caused by sepsis via the NF-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Renal injury caused by sepsis is a difficult point in the field of critical care medicine today, which seriously endangers the health of patients. The aim of our paper was to study the role of irisin in the inflammation and apoptosis of renal injury caused by sepsis and its potential mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was utilized to establish an acute kidney injury model. HK-2 cells were divided into 3 groups: control group, LPS group, LPS+irisin group. The expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, Bcl-2, and Bax were detected using Western blot. Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to detect the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß in the cell supernatant. The LDH content was detected to observe cell damage. TUNEL staining and flow cytometry were to investigate the apoptosis in three groups. The viability of HK-2 cells was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. RESULTS: After HK-2 cells were treated with LPS, the LDH content in the cell supernatant was greatly increased, and the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß was also significantly increased. However, after treatment with irisin, LDH content and expression of inflammatory factors were significantly suppressed. Similarly, LPS treatment greatly elevated the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, Bax, p65 and IκKα, as well as inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 and IκB-α. However, irisin treatment reversed these situations. In addition, the number of TUNEL-positive cells and the apoptotic rate were also greatly decreased in LPS+irisin group compared with those in LPS group. CONCLUSIONS: Irisin could inhibit inflammation and apoptosis of HK-2 cells treated with LPS via the NF-κB pathway.

An evaluation of direct PCR assays for the detection and quantification of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis has been linked to the development and progression of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and is considered to be a high-risk factor for ESCC. Currently, the commonly used methods for P. gingivalis detection are culture or DNA extraction-based, which are either time and labour intensive especially for high-throughput applications. We aimed to establish and evaluate a rapid and sensitive direct quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) protocol for the detection of P. gingivalis without DNA extraction which is suitable for large-scale epidemiological studies. Paired gingival swab samples from 192 subjects undergoing general medical examinations were analysed using two direct and one extraction-based qPCR assays for P. gingivalis. Tris-EDTA buffer-based direct qPCR (TE-direct qPCR), lysis-based direct qPCR (lysis-direct qPCR) and DNA extraction-based qPCR (kit-qPCR) were used, respectively, in 192, 132 and 60 of these samples for quantification of P. gingivalis. The sensitivity and specificity of TE-direct qPCR was 95.24% and 100% compared with lysis-direct qPCR, which was 100% and 97.30% when compared with kit-qPCR; TE-direct qPCR had an almost perfect agreement with lysis-direct qPCR (κ = 0.954) and kit-qPCR (κ = 0.965). Moreover, the assay time used for TE-direct qPCR was 1.5 h. In conclusion, the TE-direct qPCR assay is a simple and efficient method for the quantification of oral P. gingivalis and showed high sensitivity and specificity compared with routine qPCR.

[Relationship of body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio with diabetes mellitus in community residents aged 15 years old and above in Pudong new district, Shanghai].

Objective: To analyze the relationship of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with diabetes mellitus in community residents aged ≥15 years in Pudong new district of Shanghai, and provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus. Methods: Using multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method, a total of 7 194 community residents aged ≥15 years were surveyed by using questionnaire, physical examination and laboratory tests in 2016. The relationship of BMI, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio with diabetes mellitus was analyzed by χ(2) test, single factor linear correlation and logistic regression analyses. Results: In 2016, the crude prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus in Pudong was 27.37%, which was 12.75% after standardization. The prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus was slightly higher in men than in women and was increased with age. The levels of FPG, 2 h plasma glucose and HbA1c were positively correlated with BMI, WC and WHR. After adjusting the confounding factors, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that obesity (OR=1.351, P<0.01), excessive waist circumference (OR=1.255, P<0.01) and high WHR (OR=1.291, P<0.01) were risk factors for diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: The increase of obesity, WC and WHR will increase the risk for diabetes mellitus. It is important to maintain healthy weight, especially the control of WC and WHR, reduce the accumulation of abdominal fat to reduce the risk for diabetes mellitus.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on kidney injury in sepsis rats through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/iNOS signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on kidney injury in sepsis rats through the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differential protein-88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups, including the control group (n=10), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) group (model group, n=10) and DEX treatment group (DEX group, n=10). The model of sepsis was successfully established in rats. The levels of serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1ß, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The pathological changes in kidney tissues were detected via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, and iNOS in the kidney were detected via fluorescence quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, rats in the model group showed significant kidney injury, markedly increased levels of serum Cr, BUN and pro-inflammatory cytokines, remarkably decreased the level of IL-10 (p<0.05), and significantly increased mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, and iNOS. In the DEX group, AKI was markedly improved, while the expressions of inflammatory cytokines were remarkably declined. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, and iNOS decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: DEX has a protective effect on LPS-induced AKI, whose mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/iNOS pathway.

Genetic Modification of Grapevine Embryogenic Cultures.

Precision breeding is an approach to grapevine genetic improvement that transfers only specific traits among sexually compatible species via the relatively stable mitotic cell division pathway in order to avoid the significant disruption imposed upon conventional breeding by meiosis. Factors enabling precision breeding include the availability of the Vitis genome sequence combined with highly optimized gene insertion and plant regeneration protocols. A protocol for the production of grapevine embryogenic cultures and their genetic transformation is described. Embryogenic cultures are produced from either leaf or floral explants. Somatic embryos at the cotyledonary stage of development are used for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Following co-cultivation with Agrobacterium containing the genes of interest, modified embryos are selected on the basis of anthocyanin pigmentation and antibiotic resistance. Somatic embryos are then germinated to produce modified plants that are hardened and transferred to a greenhouse. The presence of the genes of interest is confirmed by PCR.

Effect of mannose on the lung function of rats with acute pancreatitis.

The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which mannose protects the lung injury induced in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP). An AP combined with Acute Lung Injury (ALI) model was established. A total of 90 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (300±50g weight) were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group (SO group), severe acute pancreatitis lung injury group (SAP group), and mannose intervention group (MT group). Subsequently, each group was divided into two subgroups based on the time passed from intervention, namely 6 and 12 h. Each subgroup comprised 15 rats. The ratio of wet/dry weight of the lung tissue exhibited no significant change at different time points in the SO group. This parameter was significantly increased in the SAP group compared with the SO group at each time point of the treatment (P less than 0.05) and it was significantly lower in the MT group than that in the AP group (P less than 0.05) and it was significantly increased in the AP group at each time (P less than 0.05) compared with the SO group. The levels of TNF-α in the lung tissue in the SO group exhibited no significant change at different time points, but they were significantly decreased in the MT group at each time point (P less than 0.05) compared with the SAP group. The mannose receptor (MR) mRNA and protein levels in the lung tissues exhibited no significant change at different time points. The mRNA and protein levels of MR in the SAP group were significantly decreased at each time point (P less than 0.05) compared with the SO group. The mRNA and protein levels of MR, in the lung tissue of the MT group were significantly increased at each time point compared with the SAP group (P less than 0.05). Mannose could reduce the injury caused to the lung tissue of rats with severe acute pancreatitis by up-regulation of the expression of MR mRNA and protein.

Effect of vitrification solutions on survival rate of cryopreserved Epinephelus moara embryos.

Embryo cryopreservation is important for long-term preservation of germplasm and assisted reproduction. However, it is still very difficult to obtain viable embryos from cryopreserved fish embryos. In this study, embryos of Epinephelus moara were used to investigate the effects of various cryopreservation methods. Embryos in stages 10 pairs somite (10S), 18 pairs somite (18S), 22 pairs somite (22S), tail-bud (TB), embryo twitching (ET) and pre-hatch (PH) were treated with five-step equilibrium penetration in 40% PMG3T vitrification solution, which contained 15.75% 1,2-propylene glycol, 10.50% Methanol, 8.75% Glycerol and 5.00% Trehalose. We found that 18S, 22S, TB and ET stage embryos had higher survival rates and were more tolerant to the vitrification solution. Five-step equilibrium treatments on the embryos at the tail-bud stage were performed using two vitrification solutions: 40% PMG3T and 40% PMG3S, which consisted of 15.75% 1,2-propylene glycol, 10.50% Methanol, 8.75% Glycerol and 5.00% Sucrose. The embryonic survival rate under PMG3S treatment (63.36%) was significantly higher than PMG3T treatment (43.93%) (P < 0.05). PMG3S and PMG3T with concentrations of 35%, 40% and 45% were tested on tail-bud stage embryos. Higher concentration of the vitrification solution led to significantly lower embryonic survival rate (P < 0.05). The survival rate was 36.79-72.05% in PMG3S, and 37.11-55.18% in PMG3T, and there were non-significant differences in embryonic development and malformation rates among the groups treated with different concentrations. The embryonic normal development rates in PMG3S and PMG3T were 21.27% and 11.04%, and the malformation rates were 36.13% and 31.04%, respectively. The optimum treatment condition was 40 min using 40% PMG3S on embryos at the tail-bud stage. Both PMG3S and PMG3T were used for cryopreserving embryos at 16 pairs somite, tail-bud and ET stage in liquid nitrogen, where we obtained 190 surviving embryos, and 44 fishes underwent normal development and hatched. The survival rate of cryopreserved embryos was 5.15%, the normal development rate was 1.31%, and the malformation rate was 3.66%. We found that PMG3S and PMG3T were effective for cryopreservation of Epinephelus moara embryos. The results provide a foundation for further explorations of fish embryo cryopreservation techniques.

Expression and clinical significance of rhubarb on serum amylase and TNF-alpha of rat model of acute pancreatitis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of rhubarb extract on acute pancreatitis. Ninety-six healthy Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 301±5.12 g were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham surgery (group A), acute pancreatitis model (group B), acute pancreatitis with normal saline (group C), and acute pancreatitis model with rhubarb (group D). The levels of serum amylase (AMY) and TNF-α were measured at 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th hour after modeling, and the pancreatic tissue were used to observe the pathologic changes. Compared to the sham group, the serum AMY and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) levels were significantly increased in the other groups (p <0.05). Compared to the model group and the saline group, the serum AMY, serum TNF-α level and pathological changes of rats in the rhubarb group were significantly lower (p <0.05). The serum AMY and TNF-α levels increased in acute pancreatitis. The rhubarb reduced the serum AMY and TNF-α level in rats with acute pancreatitis and reduced the pathological changes of pancreas and other tissues.

Comparison of carboplatin and paclitaxel with or without bevacizumab in chemotherapeutic regimens for unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to compare the chemoradiotherapeutic regimens of carboplatin and paclitaxel with or without bevacizumab for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 2010 to December 2016, 102 patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC were finally included and divided randomly into two groups. Patients in the CP group received the treatment of carboplatin (area under the curve of 6) on day 1 and paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) on days 1, 8, and 15. Patients in the CPB group received the treatment of carboplatin (area under the curve of 6) on day 1, paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) on days 1, 8, and 15 plus bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) on day 1. The two chemotherapy regimens were repeated every 4 weeks. Patients were treated for about 4-6 cycles until the occurrence of toxicity or patient refusal, or progressive disease. RESULTS: The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in the CPB treated group were significantly higher than that in the CP treated group (OS: p<0.01; PFS: p<0.01; respectively). The rates of response and disease control were higher in the CPB treated group (77%, 98%, respectively) compared to the CP treated group (59%, 94%, respectively), although there was no statistical significance. Regarding the toxicities of chemotherapy, we found higher rates of leukopenia and neutropenia in the CPB group, while frequent occurrence of esophagitis, eruption and thrombocytopenia in the CP group. CONCLUSIONS: The carboplatin plus paclitaxel plus bevacizumab regimen was more effective and well tolerated in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC compared with the carboplatin plus paclitaxel regimen. The CPB regimen may be a better alternative to the current standard regimen.

Gene expression changes in chicken NLRC5 signal pathway associated with in vitro avian leukosis virus subgroup J infection.

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLRs) play a key role in the innate immune response as pattern-recognition receptors. However, the role of NLRC5, which is a member of the NLR family, in NF-κB activation and MHC-I expression remains debatable. Infection with the J group avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) can result in immunosuppression and a subsequent increase in susceptibility to secondary infection. This results in huge economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), we investigated the mRNA expression levels of NLRC5 signal pathway-related genes in secondary chicken embryo fibroblasts 7 days after infection with ALV-J. The results indicated that, compared with the control groups, the expression levels of TLR7, MHC-I, and IL-18 increased significantly in the infected groups at 7 days post-infection (d.p.i.). The expression levels of NLRC5 and IL-6 were conspicuously downregulated at 7 d.p.i., but the expression levels of NF-κB, STAT1, and STAT3 were not significantly altered. These results suggest that NLRC5 and some genes involved in the NLRC5 pathway play a key role in antiviral immunity, typically the response to ALV-J infection. Moreover, MHC-I expression levels vary between different cell types.

Complex relation among Health Belief Model components in TB prevention and care.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the relationships among components of the Health Belief Model, tuberculosis (TB) preventive behavior, and intention of seeking TB care. STUDY DESIGN: Cross section study. METHODS: Using convenience sampling, 1154 rural-to-urban migrant workers were selected between the ages of 18-50 years in six urban areas of three provinces in China. The survey was conducted by individual, face-to-face interviews with a standardized questionnaire. Lisrel 8.7 was used to conduct path analysis. RESULTS: The knowledge and benefits components of the Health Belief Model predicted preventive behaviors: cover nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing (ß = 0.24, 0.33 respectively), evade others' coughs (ß = 0.13, 0.25) and also predicted seeking TB care (ß = 0.27, 0.19). Susceptibility and severity also predicted seeking TB care (ß = 0.12, 0.16). There were also important relationships among model components. Knowledge of TB predicted both susceptibility (ß = 0.32-0.60) and severity (ß = 0.41-0.45). Further, each of susceptibility (ß = 0.30) and severity (ß = 0.41) predicted perceived benefits of preventive care. CONCLUSION: Thus, a path from knowledge, through severity and susceptibility, and then through benefits predicted prevention and TB care seeking behaviors.

The role of secondary cytoreductive surgery for recurrent mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC).

BACKGROUND: Mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC) may exhibit a distinct biological behavior in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The role of secondary cytoreductive surgery was evaluated in patients with recurrent mEOC, and the prognosis was assessed. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with stages IIc to IV mEOC who experienced disease recurrence and received secondary cytoreductive surgery at Fudan University Cancer Hospital between Jan. 1997 and Dec. 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the significant comparison of survival rate was estimated by the log-rank test. RESULTS: The median progression-free interval (PFI) was 14 months (range, 5-46 months) after the first cytoreduction. Seven patients (33%) who received secondary cytoreductive surgery were optimally cytoreduced with residual disease less than or equal 1cm, and the other 14 patients (67%) underwent suboptimal surgical cytoreduction. The overall median survival time was 27 months (range, 8-64 months). The median survival time after recurrence was 10 months (range, 3-32 months). There was no significant statistical difference in median survival between patients with optimal and suboptimal secondary surgical cytoreduction, with an estimated survival of 10 months and 9.8 months, respectively (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Optimal primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced mEOC was very important. Once it recurs, the prognosis is very poor. Patients with recurrent mEOC should be carefully assessed before performing secondary cytoreductive surgery, as this may have limited impact on the overall survival rates.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of embryogenic cultures and plant regeneration in Vitis rotundifolia Michx. (muscadine grape).

A method to produce transgenic plants of Vitis rotundifolia was developed. Embryogenic cultures were initiated from leaves of in vitro grown shoot cultures and used as target tissues for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation. A green fluorescent protein/neomycin phosphotransferase II (gfp/nptII) fusion gene that allowed for simultaneous selection of transgenic cells based on GFP fluorescence and kanamycin resistance was used to optimize parameters influencing genetic transformation. It was determined that both proembryonal masses (PEM) and mid-cotyledonary stage somatic embryos (SE) were suitable target tissues for co-cultivation with Agrobacterium as evidenced by transient GFP expression. Kanamycin at 100 mg l(-1) in the culture medium was effective in suppression of non-transformed tissue and permitting the growth and development of transgenic cells, compared to 50 or 75 mg l(-1), which permitted the proliferation of more non-transformed cells. Transgenic plants of "Alachua" and "Carlos" were recovered after secondary somatic embryogenesis from primary SE explants co-cultivated with Agrobacterium. The presence and stable integration of transgenes in transgenic plants was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot hybridization. Transgenic plants exhibited uniform GFP expression in cells of all plant tissues and organs including leaves, stems, roots, inflorescences and the embryo and endosperm of developing berries.

Concurrent chemotherapy and adjuvant extended field irradiation after radical surgery for cervical cancer patients with lymph node metastases.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to report our experience with concurrent chemotherapy and adjuvant extended field irradiation after radical surgery for cervical carcinoma patients with common iliac node and/or multiple pelvic lymph nodes metastases. We studied 25 patients with FIGO stage IB-IIB (IB, 3; IIA, 15; and IIB, 7) cervical carcinoma who underwent radical surgery and had histologically confirmed involvement of common iliac nodes and/or multiple (>or=2) pelvic lymph nodes. These patients received the first cycle of systemic chemotherapy 2 weeks after radical surgery. Then, they received pelvic and extended field irradiation (40-45 Gy) with weekly cisplatinum (30 mg/m(2)). They were then given five more cycles of consolidation chemotherapy. Survival curves were generated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival rates were 63% and 76%, respectively. The PFS rates with multiple pelvic node and common iliac node metastases were 69% and 61%, respectively. The pelvic recurrence rate was 8% (2/25) and that for distant metastases was 32% (8/25). No patient's treatment failed in the para-aortic region. The median interval from the surgery to the recurrence was 14 months (range, 5-29 months). Nineteen (76%) patients experienced grades 1-2 and four (16%) experienced grades 3-4 neutropenia. Fifteen patients (60%) experienced grades 1-2 and one (4%) experienced grades 3-4 gastrointestinal toxicity. Concurrent chemotherapy and adjuvant extended field irradiation after radical surgery achieved good local control with acceptable toxicity. However, subsequent distant metastasis was still the predominant form of treatment failure even after consolidation chemotherapy.

Transgenic plants from shoot apical meristems of Vitis vinifera L. "Thompson Seedless" via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.

Shoot apical meristem explants of Vitis vinifera "Thompson Seedless" were used for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation. It was determined that the meristems had to be subjected to a dark growth phase then wounded to obtain transgenic plants. Morphological and histological studies illustrated the role of wounding to expose apical meristem cells for transformation. A bifunctional egfp/nptII fusion gene was used to select kanamycin resistant plants that expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP). Kanamycin at a concentration of 16 mg L(-1) in selection medium resulted in recovery of non-chimeric transgenic plants that uniformly expressed GFP, whereas 8 mg L(-1) kanamycin allowed non-transgenic and/or chimeric plants to develop. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analyses confirmed the presence of transgenes and their stable integration into the genome of regenerated plants. Up to 1% of shoot tips produced stable transgenic cultures within 6 weeks of treatment, resulting in a total of 18 independent lines.

Surgery and salvage chemotherapy for Chinese women with recurrent advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma: a retrospective case-control study.

The objective of this paper is to clarify the role of cytoreductive surgery and salvage chemotherapy in the management of recurrent advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma (RAEOC) and to identify factors affecting disease recurrence. One hundred sixty seven patients with RAEOC treated at the Cancer Hospital of Fudan University between January 1986 and December 1997 were retrospectively reviewed. Survival was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method with difference in survival estimated by the log-rank test. Independent prognostic factors were identified by the Cox stepwise regression model and variants associated with disease recurrence were determined using logistic stepwise regression methods. The median age was 52 (range 27-72) years. Sixty (35.9%) patients underwent re-debulking surgery, 23 of them with residual disease

Self-assembly of novel [3]- and [2]rotaxanes with two different ring components: donor-acceptor and hydrogen bonding interactions and molecular-shuttling behavior.

Three of the first kind of hetero[3]rotaxanes, which comprise one linear component and one neutral and one tetracationic ring component, have been assembled by using the intermolecular hydrogen bonding and donor-acceptor interactions. Three neutral [2]rotaxanes and three tetracationic [2]rotaxanes have also been synthesized as intermediate products or for the sake of property comparison. The linear molecules are incorporated with two glycine subunits, for templating the formation of the neutral tetraamide cyclophane, and one or two hydroquinone subunits, for inducing the formation of the tetracationic cyclophane. Variable-temperature (1)H NMR investigation reveals that the shuttling behavior of the tetracationic ring component along the linear component is substantially influenced by the existence of the neutral ring component. The spatial repelling interaction of the neutral ring on the electron-deficient tetracationic ring simultaneously weakens the latter's "positioning" tendency at both electron-rich hydroquinone sites of the linear component. As a result, the activation energy associated with the shuttling process of the tetracationic ring between the two hydroquinone sites is remarkably reduced in comparison to that of the shuttling process of the corresponding neutral ring-free [2]rotaxanes. For the first time, the rotation of the dipyridinium subunit around the axis formed by the two methylene groups connecting them within the tetracationic cyclophane has been investigated by variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy and the associated kinetic data have also been successfully obtained. Furthermore, the UV-vis and fluorescent properties of the new [2]- and [3]rotaxanes have been studied. The results demonstrate that [3]rotaxanes with different ring components possess unique kinetic features that are not available in [3]rotaxanes with identical ring components.