Manipulation of crystallization nucleation and thermal degradation of PLA films by multi-morphologies CNC-ZnO nanoparticles.

Currently, the quest for more renewable and biodegradable materials is a scientific priority to address the problems of petroleum-based plastics are difficult to degrade. In this work, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) have been used as a template and four morphologies of CNC-ZnO nanocomposites were prepared via a hydrothermal method, and CNC-ZnO/polylactic acid (PLA) composite films were obtained by solution casting. We find that CNC-ZnO nanocomposites as heterogeneous nucleating agents improved the crystallinity and the film with flower-like CNC-ZnO was improved by 2.

Cloning and characterization of a novel amylopullulanase from Bacillus megaterium Y103 with transglycosylation activity.

Objective: To obtain a novel pullulanase with synthetic ability from a microorganism and characterize its substrates specificity.

Results: A novel pullulanase, PulY103A, from Bacillus megaterium Y103 was purified, characterized and expressed in Escherichia coli. PulY103A contained the signature sequences of type I pullulanases and showed 94.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with liver metastases: An 18-year experience from the GIST cooperation group in North China.

Approximately 40% to 50% of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients will have recurrence or metastases after resection of the primary lesion, and the most common affected sites will be liver and peritoneum. Imatinib has been considered as the first-line therapy of metastatic GIST. Surgery for metastases is proposed when possible.

Unique Expression of Angiotensin Type-2 Receptor in Sex-Specific Distribution of Myelinated Ah-Type Baroreceptor Neuron Contributing to Sex-Dimorphic Neurocontrol of Circulation.

This study aims to understand the special expression patterns of angiotensin-II receptor (AT1R and AT2R) in nodose ganglia and nucleus of tractus solitary of baroreflex afferent pathway and their contribution in sex difference of neurocontrol of blood pressure regulation. In this regard, action potentials were recorded in baroreceptor neurons (BRNs) using whole-cell patch techniques; mRNA and protein expression of AT1R and AT2R in nodose ganglia and nucleus of tractus solitary were evaluated using real time-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry at both tissue and single-cell levels. The in vivo effects of 17β-estradiol on blood pressure and AT2R expression were also tested.

Learning curve of endorectal ultrasonography in preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma.

Accurate preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma is essential for optimal treatment. This study was designed to evaluate the accuracy and learning curve of endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS) in the preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma. We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with rectal carcinoma who underwent preoperative ERUS followed by curative surgery at the Shanxi Province Tumor Hospital between January, 2007 and March, 2010.

[Epidemiology survey of gastrointestinal stromal tumor in Shanxi Province in 2011].

Objective: To explore the incidence and distribution of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in Shanxi Province.

Methods: Newly diagnosed and suspected GIST cases of Shanxi Province on January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 were collected from medical insurance records and hospital surveys. All specimens were sent to the Department of Pathology at Shanxi Provincial Tumor Hospital for examinations.

[Accuracy of endorectal ultrasonography in preoperative staging of rectal cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of endorectal ultrasonography in preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma.

Methods: The 319 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma underwent endorectal ultrasonography evaluation from January 2007 to March 2010. There were 175 males and 144 females, and the age of patients were 22-82 year old (median 59 years).

[Standard of postoperative risk assessment for resectable gastrointestinal stromal tumor and its evaluation].

Surgery is the only possible cure protocol of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). But the risk of recurrence exists constantly. Risk assessment of relapse is very important to guide the targeted adjuvant therapy and predict the prognosis.

[Relationship of c-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha gene mutation features with prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor].

Objective: To explore the relationship between c-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha(PDGFRA) gene mutation features and the prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST).

Methods: Clinicopathological, genetic testing and follow-up informations of patients admitted to the Shanxi Tumor Hospital from June 2000 to January 2009 were collected. The survival was calculated and univariate analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method.

[Pathological changes of rectal cancer after irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil or combined short-term radiotherapy].

Objective: To observe and evaluate the pathologic changes and curative effects of irinotecan (CPT-11), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and combined short-term radiotherapy before low-set rectal cancer operation so as to provide a theoretic basis for formulating a new effective adjuvant therapeutic regimen.

Methods: A total of 41 patients of low rectal cancer were treated with CPT-11, 5-FU therapy or CPT-11 plus 5-FU combined short-term radiotherapy from April 2002 to April 2009. They were divided into 2 groups according to different treatment schemes, including irinotecan group (n = 18) and irinotecan combined short-term radiotherapy group (n = 23).

[Analysis of predictors of axillary node metastases in 787 breast cancer patients].

Objective: To explore the predictors of axillary nodal metastass in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed using the clinicopathological data of breast cancer cases diagnosed and treated in our Hospital between Dec 2006 and Nov 2008. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of axillary node positivity.

Treatment of advanced rectal cancer after renal transplantation.

Renal transplantation is a standard procedure for end-stage renal disease today. Due to immunosuppressive drugs and increasing survival time after renal transplantation, patients with transplanted kidneys carry an increased risk of developing malignant tumors. In this case report, 3 patients with advanced rectal cancer after renal transplantation for renal failure were treated with anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection plus total mesorectal excision, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

Irinotecan or oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin as first-line therapy for advanced colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: To compare clinical efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan combined with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin with those of oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin as first-line therapy for advanced colorectal cancer.

Methods: Literature search was performed by keywords "irinotecan", "oxaliplatin" and "colorectal cancer" on all randomized controlled trails reported on irinotecan versus oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin as first-line therapy for advanced colorectal cancer in MEDLINE, OVID, Springer, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR) and CBMdisc (Chinese Biology and Medicine disc) before January 2010. Two authors drew the details of trial design, characteristics of patients, outcomes, and toxicity from the studies included.

[Efficacy of cetuximab in therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer: a system evaluation].

Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy of cetuximab in the treatment of individuals with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods: Literature searches were performed on all clinical trails reported on target-therapy agent cetuximab in treating metastatic colorectal cancer prior to August 2008. The basic characteristics and clinical efficacy data of trials meeting the screening criteria were extracted.

[Comparison of two-year efficacy between procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids and Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy in treatment of III and IV degree internal hemorrhoids].

Objective: To compare the long-term efficacy of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) and Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (MMH) in the treatment of III and IV degree internal hemorrhoids.

Methods: One hundred patients were randomly divided into two groups and received PPH (n=42) and MMH (n=58) respectively. After two years, the efficacy, complications and function of defecation were compared.

[Efficacy of intersphincteric resection in the sphincter-preserving operation for ultra-lower rectal cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of intersphincteric resection in the sphincter- preserving operation for ultra-lower rectum cancer.

Methods: Thirty-one rectal cancer patients with the distal edge of the tumour less than 2 cm from the dentate line were evaluated. Eighteen advanced rectal cancer patients received preoperative chemo-radiation.

[Study on the prognostic factors of colorectal cancer after radical resection and on suggested model for prediction].

Objective: To study the factors of colorectal cancer (CRC) after radical resection to provide data predicting the prognosis of the patients.

Methods: 120 cases of CRC were collected in this study. Medical clinical records and 5-year follow-up data were reviewed.