Drug-related problems in hospitalized patients with chronic kidney diseases and clinical pharmacist interventions.

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of drug-related problems (DRPs) because of extensive comorbidities and pharmacokinetic changes. This study aimed to identify DRPs and possible contributing factors in hospitalized patients with CKD, and evaluate the efficacy of the clinical pharmacist services in detection and intervention of DRPs in a large general hospital in Zhejiang Province, eastern China.

Methods: With the approval of the Ethics Committee, patients with CKD admitted to the nephrology ward from January to December 2020 were enrolled in this prospective study.

Identification of differentially methylated genes as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of breast cancer.

Background: Aberrant DNA methylation is significantly associated with breast cancer.

Methods: In this study, we aimed to determine novel methylation biomarkers using a bioinformatics analysis approach that could have clinical value for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Firstly, differentially methylated DNA patterns were detected in breast cancer samples by comparing publicly available datasets (GSE72245 and GSE88883).

Hydroxychloroquine potentiates the anti-cancer effect of bevacizumab on glioblastoma via the inhibition of autophagy.

Bevacizumab (BEV) is widely used for the treatment of patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM), but recent evidence demonstrated that BEV induced cytoprotective autophagy, which allows tumor cells to survive. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) inhibits lysosomal acidification and blocks autophagy via influencing autophagosome fusion and degradation. HCQ is often used to enhance the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy.

Prophylactic abdominal aortic balloon occlusion: An effective method of controlling hemorrhage in patients with placenta previa or accreta.

Postpartum hemorrhage is considered to be a serious complication in patients with pernicious placenta. Approaches employing abdominal aortic balloon occlusion to control hemorrhage are extremely effective for such patients. The present study analyzed 9 patients with pernicious placenta previa in a single hospital from June 2016 to November 2017.

Silibinin: an old drug for hematological disorders.

Introduction: Silibinin (silybin), a non-toxic natural polyphenolic flavonoid, is the principal and the most biologically active component of silymarin. It is efficient in the treatment of acute and chronic liver disorders caused by toxins, drug, alcohol, hepatitis, and gall bladder disorders. Further, in our previous studies, we explored the anti-cancer efficacy in common cancers, such as lung, prostatic, colon, breast, bladder, as well as, hepatocellular carcinoma.

Iron oxide nanoclusters for T magnetic resonance imaging of non-human primates.

Iron-oxide-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) had been clinically approved in the United States and Europe, yet most of these nanoparticle products were discontinued owing to failures to meet rigorous clinical requirements. Significant advances have been made in the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles and their biomedical applications, but several major challenges remain for their clinical translation, in particular large-scale and reproducible synthesis, systematic toxicity assessment, and their preclinical evaluation in MRI of large animals. Here, we report the results of a toxicity study of iron oxide nanoclusters of uniform size in large animal models, including beagle dogs and the more clinically relevant macaques.

Statins in conditions other than hypocholesterolemic effects for chronic subdural hematoma therapy, old drug, new tricks?

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common intracranial hematomas worldwide with a high incidence in the general population. However, the optimum treatment for CSDH is Burr-hole drainage with or without rinse Considering the poor outcomes of CSDH in aged patients, and ambiguous prediction of recurrence in many sides of recurrent CSDHs who have been analyzed, new effective therapies are needed for those CSDHs who are predicated to have poor prognosis for surgery and/or have a higher risk of recurrence. Statins, which is the first-line treatment for patients with high cholesterol and coronary heart disease.

Common variants predict recurrence after nonfamilial atrial fibrillation ablation in Chinese Han population.

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several loci associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and have been reportedly associated with response to catheter ablation for AF in patients of European ancestry; however, associations between susceptibility loci and clinical recurrence of AF after catheter ablation have not been examined in Chinese Han populations. To the personalization of catheter ablation for AF, we examined whether these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can predict clinical outcomes after catheter ablation for AF in Chinese Han population.

Methods And Results: The association between 8 SNPs and AF was studied in 1418 AF patients and 1424 controls by the unconditional logistic regression analysis.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt combined with esophagogastric variceal embolization in the treatment of a large gastrorenal shunt.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) combined with stomach and esophageal variceal embolization (SEVE) in cirrhotic patients with a large gastrorenal vessel shunt (GRVS).

Methods: Eighty-one cirrhotic patients with gastric variceal bleeding (GVB) associated with a GRVS were enrolled in the study and accepted TIPS combined with SEVE (TIPS + SEVE), by which portosystemic pressure gradient (PPG), biochemical, TIPS-related complications, shunt dysfunction, rebleeding, and death were evaluated.

Results: The PPGs before TIPS were greater than 12 mmHg in 81 patients.

Correlation between BRCA1 and TopBP1 protein expression and clinical outcome of non-small cell lung cancer treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between protein expression of breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) and topoisomerase IIβ-binding protein 1 (TopBP1) and clinical outcome of non-small cell lung cancer treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to detect the protein expression of BRCA1 and TopBP1 in 101 cases of NSCLC and to correlate these with clinical features, disease progression, and patient survival. Chi-square test (χ (2)-test) was used to evaluate categorical variables.

First-line gemcitabine plus cisplatin in nonsmall cell lung cancer patients.

Aim: To evaluate the predictive value of RRM1, ERCCl, and BRCA1 expression in Chinese NSCLC patients treated with gemcitabine and cisplatin.

Methods: Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to determine the RRM1, ERCC1, and BRCA1 mRNA expression levels of peripheral blood in late-stage NSCLC patients. The relationship between peripheral blood and mRNA expression in tumor tissues was analyzed further.

RRM1 and ERCC1 expression in peripheral blood versus tumor tissue in gemcitabine/carboplatin-treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: To comparatively evaluate the prognostic or predictive value of ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) and excision repair cross-complementation 1 (ERCC1) gene expression in peripheral blood versus tumor tissue from patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated by gemcitabine/platinum chemotherapy.

Methods: A total of 49 patients with advanced NSCLC receiving gemcitabine plus carboplatin chemotherapy were studied. RRM1 and ERCC1 mRNA levels in the peripheral blood and tumor tissue were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

RRM1 gene expression in peripheral blood is predictive of shorter survival in Chinese patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated by gemcitabine and platinum.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive values of gene expressions of ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) and breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) in peripheral blood from Chinese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with gemcitabine plus platinum.

Methods: Forty Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC were recruited and received gemcitabine 1 200 mg/m(2) on Days 1 and 8 plus carboplatin AUC 5 on Day 1. RRM1 and BRCA1 expression levels in peripheral blood were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

[Detection of RRM1, ERCC1 and BRCA1 gene expression in non-small cell lung cancer tissues and peripheral blood by SYBR real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR].

Objective: To develop a method for the detection of RRM1, ERCC1 and BRCA1 gene expression by SYBR real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR in non-small cell lung cancer tissues and peripheral blood.

Methods: The plasmid standard of RRM1, ERCC1, BRCA1 and β-actin genes was constructed. SYBR real-time PCR was performed, and the standard curve was established.

[Clinical and angiographic characteristics of left coronaroventricular microfistula].

Objective: To investigate the clinical and angiographic characteristics of left coronaroventricular microfistula.

Methods: In his retrospective review, clinical, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and coronary angiography data were analyzed for patients with left coronaroventricular microfistula.

Results: Left coronaroventricular microfistula was identified in 9 out of 8300 patients underwent coronary angiographies from 1998 to 2008 in our center.

[Electrocardiographic and angiographic characteristics of patients with acute solitary posterior myocardial infarction].

Objective: To investigate electrocardiographic (ECG) and angiographic characteristics of patients with acute solitary posterior myocardial infarction. Patients complicated by inferior wall or right ventricular infarction were excluded.

Method: ECG and angiographic changes in 11 patients with acute solitary posterior myocardial infarction admitted to our emergency room from 2001 to 2006 were analyzed.

[Peak concentration of gemcitabine at fixed-dose-rate and its hematological toxicity profile].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between peak concentration (Cmax) of gemcitabine at fixed-dose-rate and its hematological toxicity profile in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Twenty-one patients received gemcitabine at a fixed dose rate (1200 mg/m2 over 120 min) with carboplatin. Plasma concentrations of gemcitabine were measured by ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Phase II study of gemcitabine and carboplatin in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine in combination with carboplatin at standard rate or fixed dose rate infusion in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: In this prospective study, patients with chemonaive advanced NSCLC were randomized to receive gemcitabine at a standard rate (gemcitabine 1,200 mg/m2 over 30 min, the standard arm) or a fixed dose rate (gemcitabine 1,200 mg/m2 over 120 min, the FDR arm) on days 1 and 8 every 3 week cycle. In both treatment arms, carboplatin at AUC of 5 was administered over 4 h following gemcitabine on day 1 of each cycle.

[Effects of hypoxia on ET and NO levels in cultured umbilical venous endothelial cells of native Tibetan].

Aim: To assay ET and NO in venous blood of native Tibetan and to investigate the effects of hypoxia on ET and NO levels in cultured umbilical venous endothelial cells of native Tibetan.

Methods: ET and NO in venous blood of native Tibetan, immigrant Han and lowland Han were assayed. Umbilical venous endothelial cells (UVECs) from native Tibetan and immigrant Han newborns were cultured and divided into 4 groups: (1) Native Tibetan control group (TC), (2) Native Tibetan hypoxic group (TH), (3) Immigrant Han control group (HC), (4) Immigrant Han hypoxic group (HH).