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A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of adding 100 and 500 mg·kg-1 of exogenous iron (Fe) on the lead (Pb) accumulation in Typha latifolia growing on a soil with 0, 100, 500 and 1000 mg·kg-1 of Pb, respectively. In treatment 500 mg Fe·kg-1, the Pb concentration in T. latifolia shoots and roots was higher, compared with that in treatment 100 mg Fe·kg-1. When the soil Pb concentration was 1000 mg·kg-1, the Pb concentration in T. latifolia shoots and roots in treatment 500 mg Fe·kg-1 increased by 33. 7% and 50. 5%, respectively, compared with that in treatment 100 mg Fe·kg-1. The exchangeable Pb concentration in rhizosphere soil was 77. 0% -114. 6% higher in treatment 500 mg Fe·kg-1 than in treatment 100 mg Fe·kg-1. When the soil Pb concentration was 0, 100 and 1000 mg·kg-1, the root dry mass in treatment 500 mg Fe · kg-1 had a significant decrease, compared with that in treatment 100 mg Fe·kg-1. It was suggested that adding appropriate amount of Fe to Pb-contaminated wetland soil could increase the availability of soil Pb and improve the Pb accumulation in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the long-term field experiment at Hailun Agro-ecosystem Experimental Station of Chinese Academy of Sciences, this paper studied the cadmium (Cd) accumulation, its development tendency, and Cd availability in black soil under effects of long-term application of chemical N and P fertilizers and pig manure. The results showed that under no fertilization, soil Cd concentration had a slight increase. Long-term chemical N and P fertilization increased soil Cd concentration significantly, but soil Cd accumulation had less difference under different N and P fertilization rates. Applying pig manure increased the Cd accumulation in soil significantly, and the accumulation had a tendency of speed-up. Cd-containing feedstuff additives could be the important source of Cd in pig manure. No significant effects of chemical N and P fertilization were observed on the Cd availability in soil, but long-term application of pig manure increased the Cd availability significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feature of wireless and self-organizing makes Ad hoc network very vulnerable to DoS attacks. On the basis of existing research results of DSR-BCA protocol, this paper added a mechanism to deal with DoS attacks. Nodes participate in routing were involved with a verification algorithm of performs routing. When the network data transmission packet loss rate exceeded a preset threshold, the isolation algorithm was used to identify the node which had been DoS attacked and isolated it, so as to maximize the effectiveness of the network nodes. Simulation results show that when Ad hoc network is under DoS attacks, this method has obvious effects on improving two aspects of performance of the average transmission delay and packet delivery ratio. This method can play a very good role in boycotting DoS attacks and enhancing the robustness of the network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the characteristics and formation mechanism of a heavy air pollution episode in Shanghai City from January 23th to January 24th, 2013, the observed data of PM₂.₅ concentration and ground meteorological data and the WRF-Chem model were collected. The analysis revealed that the synoptic necessary mechanism of the heavy air pollution episode could be characterized by the following patterns: Accompanied with weak cold front activities, the city experienced weak winds (i. e. stable atmosphere) at first and then northerly winds (i. e. pollutant transport process ), causing the continuous increase and maintaining of pollutant concentration. The detailed results are shown as follows: Firstly, the stable atmosphere circulation pattern which lasted for 10 hours was not good for air pollution dispersion, as a result, local PM₂.₅ concentrations continued to increase and reached severe pollution level and the high concentrations maintained for 7 hours caused by the stable boundary layer (e. g. static surface winds and low level temperature inversion) during nighttime, and the average PM₂.₅ concentrations during the stable weather process was 172.4 μg · m⁻³. Secondly, the dispersion condition was slightly improved later on with the arrival of a weak cold front, the upstream pollution transportation occurred at the same time, leading to further increase of PM₂.₅ concentration (up to 280 μg · m⁻³), and the average PM₂.₅ concentration during the upstream transportation process was 213.6 μg · m⁻³. Numerical simulation with the WRF-Chem model showed that, average contribution of upstream transportation to local PM₂.₅ concentrations during the episode was 23% . Among them, the contribution during the stable weather and upstream transportation stage was 17.2% and 32.2% . Our results suggested that there were significant differences in the contribution of upstream transportation to the local PM₂.₅ concentration of Shanghai due to variation of weather conditions. Therefore, the government can design effective emission control strategy in advance taking pollution weather forecasting into account.

Objective: To detect K-ras gene mutations in plasma free DNA by peptide nucleic acid clamp PCR assay (PNA-PCR) and nested primer PCR, and to analyze the correlation between K-ras mutations and prognosis in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)., Methods: Peripheral blood was collected and free DNA was extracted from plasma in 106 patients with mCRC. Nested primer PCR and PNA-PCR were used to detect K-ras gene mutation in the plasma free DNA. The patients were divided into three groups by K-ras status: wild-type group (wild-type determined by both methods), low mutation group (mutation by PNA-PCR method, wild-type by nested primer PCR method) and high mutation group (mutation by two methods). The correlation between K-ras mutations and prognosis was analyzed., Results: The mutation rate of K-ras in tumor tissues of the 106 patients was 40.6%. The Mutation rate of K-ras in plasma free DNA detected by PNA-PCR was 31.1%, significantly higher than that of 15.1% detected by nested primer PCR (P = 0.006). The consistent rate of the K-ras status in plasma free DNA detected by PNA-PCR and that in tumor tissue detected by traditional method was up to 83.0%. The median overall survival (OS) of patients of the wild type, low mutation and high mutation groups was 23.5 months, 17.3 months and 13.9 months, respectively (P = 0.002). The median progression-free survival (PFS) of the K-ras wild-type, low mutation and high mutation groups with first-line chemotherapy was 6.8 months, 6.1 months and 3.2 months, respectively (P = 0.002), and the median OS of them were 23.0 months, 15.5 months and 13.9 months, respectively (P = 0.036). The overall response rate (ORR) was improved in the K-ras wide-type patients who received cetuximab combined with chemotherapy as first-line therapy (75.0% vs. 23.4%, P = 0.058). Cetuximab combined with in second-line therapy chemotherapy led to a significant improvement in disease control rate (DCR) ( 100% vs. 35.7%, P < 0.001) as compared with those of chemotherapy alone. COX regression model showed that K-ras status detected by PNA-PCR, ECOG PS, number of surgery and initially metastatic site were independent factors for prognosis., Conclusions: PNA-PCR for the detection of K-ras mutation in plasma free DNA can be used to substitute the traditional method for detection of K-ras mutation in tumor tissues. The abundance of K-ras mutation in plasma free DNA is an independent prognostic factor for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Objective: To report the operative techniques and clinical results of modified superficial peroneal neurocutaneous propeller adipofascial-cutaneous flap for reconstruction of donor site defects at foot dorsum., Methods: A propeller adipofascial flap with a skin pedicle (4-6 cm in width) based on the lateral superamalleolar perforating artery which vascularized the flap through the nutrient vessel chain of the superficial peroneal nerve was designed to repair defects after harvesting of foot pedicled dorsal flap. The defects at donor site of the leg was closed directly and split-thickness skin grafting was performed on the adipofascial surface of the flap primarily or secondarily., Results: From May 2007 to Oct. 2011, 7 cases were treated. All flaps were transplanted successfully with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results. The flaps size ranged from 19 cm x 8 cm to 30 cm x 11 cm., Conclusions: The flap has reliable blood supply with a relatively large vascularized area, long rotation are and minimum donor-site cosmetic morbidity. It' s a simple and safe procedure which is suitable for covering donor sites defects after harvesting foot pedicled dorsal flap.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of the adaptation phenomenon occurring in antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury., Methods: Our department's clinical records were searched using the standardized diagnostic criteria and monitoring programs parameters of drug-induced liver injury to identify cases with the adaptation phenomenon. The 32 identified cases were classified according to whether or not the drug was discontinued after development of the drug-induced liver injury: withdrawal group (n = 11) and continuing group (n = 21). The types of patients with adaptation phenomenon were assessed to determine the relationship between liver injury and development time, and between the severity grade of liver injury (determined by biomarker expression) and symptoms., Results: All of the 32 cases of drug-induced liver injury with the adaptation phenomenon were classified as the hepatocellular injury type. The average overall incubation period was 16.59+/-13.05 days (range: 6-60 days), while that of the continuing group was 17.05 +/-13.71 days (6-60 days) and that of the withdrawal group was 16.46+/-12.09 days (6-43 days). The average overall time for peak transaminase levels to decrease to the normal range was 11.34 +/-5.97 days (6-30 days), while that of the continuing group was 11.20+/-5.92 days (6-30 days) and that of the withdrawal group was 11.91/-6.20 days (7-30 days). Thirty of the overall patients showed grade 1 degree of liver injury and only two showed grade 2., Conclusion: The clinical characteristics of the adaptation phenomenon include a transient increase in biochemical indicators of the antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury. It is important to understand the clinical variations in the adaptation phenomenon to formulate feasible and appropriate programs for monitoring and prevention.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in the first-line treatment of HER-2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer., Methods: Fifteen Chinese research centers are involved in the BO18255 (ToGA) study. Patients with gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer were eligible for inclusion if their tumor showed overexpression of HER-2 protein by immunohistochemistry +++ or FISH-positive. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive a chemotherapy regimen consisting of capecitabine or 5-FU plus cisplatin or chemotherapy in combination with intravenous trastuzumab. The primary endpoint was overall survival., Results: Eighty-five Chinese patients were enrolled in this study, of whom 84 were included in the primary analysis: trastuzumab plus chemotherapy (FP/H) (n = 36) and chemotherapy alone (FP)(n = 48). The median follow-up was 15.2 months in the FP/H group and 14.2 months in the FP group. The median survival time was 12.6 months in the FP/H group compared with 9.7 months in the FP group [hazard ratio 0.72, 95%CI (0.40; 1.29)]. Grade 3/4 adverse events were higher in the FP/H(63.9%)than FP (47.9%) groups, including neutropenia, vomiting and nausea. Two mild cardiac adverse events occurred in the FP/H group. Severe adverse events occurred in 3 cases of both two groups, respectively., Conclusions: Addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy is well tolerated and shows improved survival in Chinese patients with advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer. These results are consistent with the results of ToGA whole population trial. Trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy can be considered as a new option for patients with HER-2-positive advanced gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation of clinical effect and prognosis between patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and different K-ras status., Methods: The clinical characteristics, chemotherapeutic regimens and survival of 153 mCRC patients with different K-ras status were analyzed retrospectively., Results: The median overall survival (OS) in patients without K-ras mutation were 31.7 months, significantly longer than 21.3 months in the patients with K-ras mutation (P = 0.037). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and OS in patients who received chemotherapy followed by anti-EGFR antibody treatment were 11.5 and 39.3 months, respectively, significantly longer as compared with the PFS and OS in those received chemotherapy in combination with anti-EGFR antibody concomitantly (5.7, P = 0.02, and 28.7 months, P = 0.034, respectively)., Conclusions: K-ras status is a prognostic biomarker for mCRC patients treated with anti-EGFR antibody. The combination settings of anti-EGFR in combination with chemotherapy may improve survival of mCRC patients with wild-type K-ras status.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of dominant perforator neurocutaneous flaps for one-staged reconstruction of defects caused by high energy at lower legs, ankles and feet., Methods: From July 2003 to Feb. 2011, 39 cases, with defects caused by high energy at lower legs, ankles and feet, were retrospectively studied. The defects were covered primarily by one or two perforator neurocutaneous flaps (free or pedicled) which were based on a dominant perforator arising from the posterior tibial or peroneal artery (including the lateral supramalleolar perforating artery which is also from the peroneal vessel) respectively through sural, saphenous and superficial peroneal neurocutaneous vascular axis., Results: 39 cases with 44 defects were treated by 32 sural neurocutaneous flaps based on the peroneal perforator (5 free and 27 pedicled), 6 saphenous neurocutaneous flaps on the posterior tibial perforator (1 free and 5 pedicled) and 6 superficial peroneal ones on the lateral supramalleolar perforating artery. The largest flap size was 22 cm x 10 cm. All flaps were survived successfully without necrosis. The average in-hospital time was 23 days ( ranged from 12-36 days)., Conclusions: The three kinds of dominant perforator neurocutaneous flaps have reliable blood supply with a relatively large size. They can be chosen and designed individually for all kinds of defects over the lower leg, ankle and foot. There are many advantages in a primary procedure, such as easier dissection, better vessel status in or around recipient areas, less secondary necrosis and lower risk of chronic infection. Moreover, the reduction of granulation and scar tissues benefit functional rehabilitation.

Objective: To explore the effects of 7-day quadruple regimen as the first-line therapy strategy for Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori)infection and compare the eradication rate of ilaprazole versus esoprazole-based regimen., Methods: A total of 440 patients with H. pylori infection, who had never received H. pylori eradication treatment, were enrolled from 10 domestic hospitals from October 2010 to July 2011. Diagnosed as chronic gastritis or duodenal ulcer according to their endoscopic examination results, they were randomized into ilaprazole and(or) esoprazole-based bismuth-containing quadruple regimen group with amoxicillin and clarithromycin (n = 110 each). After a 7-day eradication treatment, all patients with duodenal ulcer received PPI (ilaprazole and(or) esoprazole) treatment for 14 days and (13)C urea breath test was performed at least 28 days after the end of therapy. The patients with failed eradication treatment underwent endoscopy examination and biopsy. H. pylori culture and detection of antibiotic-resistant genes were also performed., Results: In gastritis patients, the eradication rate (per-protocol, PP value) were 78.2% (79/101) and 82.0% (82/100) in ilaprazole and esoprazole groups (P = 0.50) while the (intention-to-treat) ITT value of eradication rate were 71.8% (79/110) and 74.5% (82/110) in ilaprazole and esoprazole groups respectively (P = 0.65). And there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05). In duodenal patients, the eradication rate (PP) were 92.1% (93/101) and 91.4% (96/105) in ilaprazole and esoprazole group (P = 0.86) while the ITT value of eradication rate were 84.5% (93/110) and 87.3% (96/110) in ilaprazole and esoprazole groups respectively (P = 0.56). And no significant difference existed between two groups in gastritis and duodenal ulcer patients (P > 0.05). In total, the eradication rate was 80.1% (161/201) (PP) and 73.2% (161/220) (ITT), 91.7% (189/206) (PP) and 85.9% (189/220) (ITT) in chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer patients respectively. The symptomatic improvements of stomachache, burning, belching and nausea remained almost unchanged. No severe side effect was observed. The point mutations for clarithromycin resistance were detected in all 53 H. pylori strains (100%) isolated from the patients with failed eradication treatment., Conclusions: The eradication rate of PPI based bismuth-containing quadruple regimen as the first-line treatment is satisfactory in chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer patients. No significant difference exists between the effects of ilaprazole and esoprazole-based groups. And the treatment failure may be attributed mainly to the clarithromycin resistance of H. pylori.

Objective: To evaluate the current clinical treatment status of gastric cancer in China., Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinicopathological characteristics of 636 patients with gastric cancer was conducted. Tumor response was evaluated using RECIST version 1.1 criteria., Results: Six hundred and thirty-six patients were included in this retrospective cohort: 479 men and 157 women. The median age was 57 years (14 to 86). The tumor site was: proximal (41.4%), distal (46.4%) or unknown (12.2%). The histology was: adenocarcinoma (85.8%), signet ring cell carcinoma (6.9%), or other and unknown (7.2%). The differentiation of the adenocarcinomas was: well differentiated (31.0%), moderately differentiated (13.4%), poorly differentiated (37.0%), or unknown (18.7%). The pTNM stage was: 0 (0.3%), I (3.6%), II (10.1%), III (36.8%), IV (45.6%), or unknown (3.6%). In 284 patients who underwent radical resection, the ratio of examined ten and/or more lymph nodes was higher in hospitals at or above provincial level than in hospitals at regional level (57.9% vs. 39.6%, P = 0.009). The disease-free survival was longer (21.7 m vs. 14.6 m, P = 0.005), and the overall survival was longer too (52.9 m vs. 33.8 m, P = 0.040). In 205 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, the ratio of administered six and/or more cycles chemotherapy was 42.1% vs. 35.2% (P = 0.318), and the disease-free survival was 22.7 m vs. 16.3 m (P = 0.005) between hospitals at or above provincial level and hospitals at regional level. In 387 patients with metastatic or unresectable gastric cancer who received palliative chemotherapy, the overall survival was 11.1 m (95%CI 9.9 - 12.3 m). Among them, 198 patients received second and/or more line chemotherapy, and the overall survival was longer (12.5 m vs. 7.7 m, P < 0.001). Except a longer progression-free survival (10.2 m, P < 0.05) and a longer overall survival (16.9 m, P < 0.05) were corresponded with the regimen containing trastuzumab, no other significant difference was observed among regimens in first line chemotherapy., Conclusion: Chinese doctors working in different level hospitals have a different understanding of the treatment standard of gastric cancer, which resulted in different outcomes.

Objective: To explore the efficacy of Jinghuaweikang capsules plus triple therapy (LACJ) in treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) associated gastritis or duodenal ulcer, compare it with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (LACB) and standard triple therapy (LAC) and analyze the antibiotic sensitivity of gastric mucosal H. pylori strains from the failed patients., Methods: A total of 565 patients with H. pylori infection were recruited from 11 hospitals from January 2010 to June 2011. There were 336 males and 229 females. They underwent gastroendoscopy examination due to upper gastrointestinal symptoms and had never received H. pylori eradication therapies. Duodenal ulcer patients were divided randomly into LACJ therapy group, LACB therapy group and LAC therapy group while gastritis patients LACJ therapy group and LACB therapy group. Group LAC received lansoprazole 30 mg + amoxicillin 1000 mg + clarithromycin 500 mg, twice a day, for 7 d (d1-7). Group LACJ: LAC therapy plus Jinghuaweikang, 3 capsules, twice a day, for 7 d (d1-7) then Jinghuaweikang, 3 capsules, twice a day, for 14 d (d8-21). Group LACB: LAC plus bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg, twice a day, for 7 d (d1-7) and then bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg, twice a day, for 14 d (d8-21). All duodenal ulcer patients received lansoprazole (30 mg, once a day) for 14 days after the first 7-day of treatment (d 8-21). At least 28 days after the end of treatment, all patients underwent (13)C urea breath test. Gastric mucosa was collected under endoscopy from the failed patients. The detection technique of gene chip was employed to detect antibiotics resistant gene from mucosa., Results: The eradication rates of duodenal ulcer patients in groups LACJ, LACB and LAC were as follows: per-protocol (PP), 80.2% (77/96), 89.9% (89/99) and 72.2% (70/97) (P = 0.007), intention-to-treat (ITT), 78.6% (77/98), 88.1% (89/101) and 70.0% (70/100) (P = 0.007). No statistical differences existed between groups LACJ and LACB or LAC (all P > 0.05). But there were statistical differences between groups LACB and LAC (both P = 0.002). The eradication rates of PP and ITT of chronic gastritis patients in groups LACJ and LACB were as follows: 75.8% (97/128), 74.6% (97/130) vs 83.8% (109/130), 80.1% (109/136) (both P > 0.05). The symptomatic improvements of abdominal pain, burning and acid reflux of duodenal ulcer patients in group LACJ were higher than those in groups LACB and LAC. There were statistical differences between groups LACJ and LAC (all P < 0.05). The symptomatic improvements of bloating and belching for chronic gastritis patients in group LACJ were higher than those of group LACB. But no significant difference existed between two groups (all P > 0.05). Sixty samples of gastric mucosa were collected from the failed patients. The detection rates of antibiotic-resistant gene to clarithromycin and amoxicillin were 60.0% (36/36) and 18.3% (11/60) respectively., Conclusions: The efficacy of LACJ for the treatment of H. pylori infection patients is similar to LACB and superior to LAC. And the symptomatic improvement of patients is better than the other two regimens. The main cause of treatment failure is antibiotic resistance of H. pylori strains.

Objective: To assess the HER-2 status in Chinese advanced gastric cancer patients and explore its correlation with clinical features, treatment response and prognosis., Methods: A total of 107 patients with advanced gastric cancer treated in our hospital from December 2005 to November 2008 were included in this retrospective analysis. HER-2 status was determined by immunohistochemisty (IHC) and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The correlations of HER-2 status with tumor location, pathology, treatment response and prognosis were analyzed and the efficacy of different chemottherapy regimens was compared., Results: The overall positive rate of HER-2 expression was 14.7% (15/102). The HER-2 status was detected by both methods in 102 patients, and the concordance of the two methods was 66.5%. The tumor site distribution was gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) 28.0%, proximal stomach 19.4%, gastric corpus 16.1%, antrum 26.9% and whole stomach 9.7%, respectively. There was no significant difference of HER-2 status among different tumor sites (P = 0.726), and no significant correlation between HER-2 expression and differentiation (P = 0.110). Among the evaluable 51 patients treated by first-line chemotherapy, the total objective effective rate was 23.5%. The median time-to-progression was 7.47 months, and median overall survival time was 11.07 months. The effective rate was 43.8% in patients who received XP regimen chemotherapy (cisplatin + capecitabine), significantly higher than the 14.3% in patients treated with other regimens (P = 0.033). Their overall survival was 14.17 months and 9.53 months, respectively (P = 0.059). The TTP was 6.63 months in HER-2 positive patients and 7.47 months in HER-2 negative patients, with a non-significant difference (P = 0.510). However, there was a improving tendency in the efficacy and OS, showing a effective rate of 45.5% and 17.5% (P = 0.102) and OS of 14.17 months and 10.63 months, respectively (P = 0.205)., Conclusions: HER-2-positivity rate in Chinese patients with advanced gastric cancer is similar to those reported in the literature. Along with the increasing use of targeted therapy and targeted agents, the efficacy and survival of gastric cancer patients is improving. HER-2-positive patients may benefit from it.

Objective: To investigate the clinical significance of plasmic homocysteine (Hcy), folate (FA) and Vitamin B(12) (VitB(12)) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC)., Methods: Plasmic Hcy in 112 cases of UC patients and 110 controls were detected by HPLC-FD method. Plasmic FA, VitB(12) in 76 cases of UC patients and 12 controls were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method., Results: The level of plasmic Hcy in UC patients was(11.27±7.26) μmol/L, significantly higher than that in controls[(8.19±4.81) μmol/L, P<0.05], and was not significantly correlated with disease index, extent and duration of UC(P>0.05). The level of FA and VitB(12) in UC patients were (7.64±1.95) nmol/L and (108.64±32.22) pmol/L respectively, lower than those in controls[(9.14±1.23) nmol/L and (112.64±33.33) pmol/L, P<0.05]. The level of plasmic Hcy was negatively correlated with the level of FA and VitB(12) in UC patients(P<0.05). The level of plasmic FA decreased to some extent with UC disease duration., Conclusion: Plasmic Hcy is elevated in UC patients, which may be related to the decrease of FA and VitB(12).

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab plus irinotecan-based regimen for the first line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients, and to investigate the correlation between serum tumor markers including CEA and CA19-9 and response as well as prognosis., Methods: From May 2007 to July 2008, 67 previously untreated mCRC patients received treatment of IFL (n = 25), IFL plus Bevacizumab (n = 20) or FOLFIRI (n = 22). The treatment continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The data were retrospectively analyzed., Results: All patients were evaluable for response, survival and toxicity analysis. The objective response rate of IFL, IFL plus Bevacizumab or FOLFIRI regimen groups was 16.0% (4/25), 35.0% (7/20) and 18.2% (4/22), respectively (χ(2) = 6.026, P = 0.049). The median progression-free survival (PFS) of IFL plus bevacizumab group was 7.5 months, significantly improved as compared with 3.7 months in the IFL group and 4 months in FOLFIRI group (χ(2) = 11.97, P = 0.003). Of all 67 cases, the one-year survival rate was 47.0%, two-year survival rate was 27.0%, and the median overall survival (OS) was 13.0 months, with no significant difference among the three treatment groups (χ(2) = 3.42, P = 0.18). The serum CEA and CA19-9 levels were decreased after treatment, but with no significant difference among the three groups (P > 0.05). The common toxicity profiles of IFL and FOLFIRI regimens were diarrhea and neutropenia, while the toxicity related to bevacizumab was consistent with that documented in previous literature, such as hypertension, hemorrhage, cardiac toxicity and delayed wound healing., Conclusion: The addition of bevacizumab to irinotecan-based regimen significantly improves the response rate and PFS in first-line treatment for patients with mCRC and its toxicity is well tolerated.

Background and Objective: The effect of gefitinib on advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was various. How to choose the sensitive patients and improve the effect was difficulty in clinic. This study was to assess the correlation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and HER2/3 protein expression with the effect of gefitinib on Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC., Methods: From May 2002 to February 2005, a total of 106 Chinese NSCLC patients who had failed at least one chemotherapy regimen were treated with gefitinib 250 mg once a day. The mutations in the exons 18-24 of EGFR gene were detected in the tumor tissues from 106 patients before the treatment of gefitinib, and HER2/3 expression in 84 tumor samples were detected by immunohistochemistry., Results: Mutation was identified in 32 (30.2%) tumor tissues. Overall remission rate was significantly higher in the HER2 high expression patients than in the HER2 low expression patients (36.8% vs 17.4%, P=0.044). HER2 and HER3 expression levels were not associated with time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS). The patients with HER2/3 single high expression had relatively longer TTP and OS than those with HER2/3 single low expression (6.1 vs 9.1 months, P=0.725; 6.1 vs 9.0 months, P=0.862), while those with concomitant HER2/3 high expression had significant longer TTP and OS. EGFR-mutated patients with HER2 expression or high HER2 and HER3 expressions were more sensitive to gefitinib., Conclusion: EGFR mutations combined with HER2/3 expressions is a significant predictor for gefitinib efficacy on Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC.

Objective: To observe the anti-proliferation effect of bevacizumab and SN-38 (active metabolite of irinotecan), and investigate the possible mechanisms of these two agents., Methods: Human colon cancer LoVo cells were cultured under hypoxic conditions. Inhibition of cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. The drug modulation on HIF-1alpha, VEGF, ERK and AKT were assessed by the following assays. The mRNA expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF were measured by RT-PCR. The protein expression of HIF-1alpha, ERK and AKT were evaluated by Western blot analysis, and VEGF by ELISA assay., Results: Among different combination schedules, Bevacizumab given after SN-38 show most synergistic anti-proliferation effect. Under hypoxic conditions, the expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF increased as time accumulated, Bevacizumab combined with SN-38 almost completely inhibited the expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF. Moreover, the MAP kinase pathway was involved in the drug modulation of HIF-1alpha and VEGF., Conclusion: These findings suggest the anti-proliferation effect of bevacizumab and SN-38 was schedule-dependent, and the synergistic effect of Bevacizumab and SN-38 was related to drug modulation of the HIF-1alpha and MAP kinase pathway.

Suspended sediment is one of the major optically active substances in coastal waters. The knowledge of its spectral characteristics is the basis for developing precise remote sensing inversion algorithms. Two separate continuous monitoring stations were set near the northern and southern coast of Hangzhou Bay separately, which is typically turbid area in China coastal waters. The above-water measurement method and the American ASD portable spectroscope were adopted to measure the water surface reflectance spectrum. The sediment concentrations of surface water were synchronously acquired when measuring water-leaving radiance. Results show that the sediments concentration is comparatively high and changes dramatically according to tide cycle. The reflectance spectrum at different wavelengths rises corresponding to the increase in sediments concentrations with different extent. When using first derivative method to analysis the spectral characteristic, it can be found that the first reflectance peaks of reflectance spectra appear to shift to long wavelength. There are different correlations between sediment concentrations and each MODIS channel reflectance, which are above 0.5 in 650 nm or longer wavelengths channels and below 0.5 in 400-550 nm channels. The fitting result of regression analysis is preferable with MODIS channel 2 (841-876 nm) and in situ sediment concentrations using least square method, with R2 of exponential above 0.8, which indicated that the MODIS channel 2 can be used for surface water suspended sediments remote sensing inversion, particularly in turbid waters such as bays and estuaries.

Objective: To investigate the effect of balsalazide on intestinal mucosal permeability of experimental colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) in a mouse model and its possible mechanism., Methods: Forty-five C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups. Normal group was only fed with distilled water, DSS group and Balsalazide groups at doses of 42,141,423 mg/kg were fed with 5% DSS. Balsalazide was given by intragastric administration. DAI was evaluated daily. At the end of the experiment, colon tissue was collected for assessment of histological changes, MDA content, MPO, SOD and GSH-PX activity. Small intestinal mucosa was collected for assessment of transmission electron microscope(TEM), and detection of permeability by Evans blue., Results: Compared with normal group, DSS group mice all manifested severe weight loss associated with hematochezia and diarrhea with significant increase of DAI and HI score(P<0.01). MDA content and MPO activity was increased with the reverse result of SOD and GSH-PX(P<0.01) in DSS group. Intestinal mucosa showed a focal reduction in thinning of microvillous carpet and even a total disarrangement of epithelial surface, with decurtated and broaden junctional complex and enlarged intercellular space under TEM observations in DSS group. The amount of Evans blue permeated into intestinal wall was obvious in DSS group. Compared with DSS group, balsalazide improved gross findings, decreased MPO activity and MDA content, but increased the activity of SOD and GSH-PX(P<0.05). The amount of Evans blue permeated into intestinal wall was less(P<0.05). Ileal microvillous carpet was ameliorated in dose-dependent manner by balsalazide., Conclusions: Intestinal mucosal permeability is increased in DSS group. Balsalazide can significantly ameliorate intestinal mucosal permeability in colitis model.

Suspended particles are one of major parameters of coastal water color remote sensing in China. The reflectances spectral of water were measured using an ASD field spectroscope, synchronously the suspended particles concentrations of surface water were acquired in Hangzhou Bay. Two remote sensing inversion models for suspended particles concentrations (SPC) were developed based on t hesimulated reflectance of MODIS & MERIS channels using artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm. Measurement results show that the total SPC of Hangzhou bay is comparatively high where the suspended sediments concentrations (SSC) are far more than chlorophyll concentrations, averagely 705 mg/L and 1.164 mg/m3, reseparately. The SPC in two measurement stations appears spatio-temporal variation, especially the short period change due to tidal cycle. There are two reflectance peaks in the measured spectral curves, one is between 650 nm to 750 nm, and the other is near 800 nm. The first order derivative curves of reflectance spectral indicate that the first reflectance peaks shift to long wavelength according to the increased SSC. The ANN models make full use of the spectral information in different channels which can simulate the pigment and non-pigment particles concentrations at same time. The fitting effects are preferable with R2 more than 0.95 for each model. The ANN mode can be used for satellite remote sensing inversion, especially MERIS data, because of its comparatively high spatial resolution.

Objective: To compare the therapeutic effects of aspiration via a directional soft tube and conservative treatment in patients with mild hemorrhage in the basal ganglion., Methods: Seventy-five patients with mild cerebral hemorrhage (10~30 ml) were randomly divided into two groups for aspiration treatment with minimally invasive directional soft tube placement (minimally invasive group, n=36) and conservative treatment (medication group, n=39). The patients in the two groups had comparable mean GCS scores of 11-15 on admission. The clinical outcomes of the patients were compared between the two groups., Results: In the minimally invasive group, complete removal or absorption of the hematoma occurred within an average of 3.8 days, significantly shortened in comparison with the 24 days in the medication group. The short-term (1 month) follow-up of the patients showed good neurological recovery in 58% of the patients in the minimally invasive group, significantly greater than the rate of 29% in the medication group; 6 months after the treatment, good neurological recovery was achieved in 50% of the patients in the minimally invasive group, but only 16% in the medication. No death occurred in the minimally invasive group, and 2 patients died in the medication group. The cost of hospitalization averaged 5136.3 Yuan in the minimally invasive group and 11843.6 Yuan in the medication group., Conclusion: Compared with conservative treatment, the minimally invasive treatment with soft tube placement can significantly shorten the hospital stay, promote neurological function recovery, lower the mortality rate, and reduce the cost of hospitalization.

Objective: To determine the clinical toxicities and antitumor effects of a chemotherapy regimen of FTQ, a compound preparation of tegafur, the drug prototype of 5-furacil (5-FU), gimeracil (CDHP), a decomposition inhibitor of 5-FU, oteracil potassium, phosphorylation inhibitor of 5-FU, and combined with cisplatin in patients with inoperable locally or metastatic advanced gastric cancer., Methods: 119 patients with inoperable locally or metastatic advanced gastric cancer admitted in 10 hospitals in China were divided into 2 groups: FTQ group (n = 59), undergoing a 3-week regime, i.e. oral use of 80 mg x m(-2) x d(-1) for 14 d and then discontinuance for 1 week and intravenous drip cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on days 1-3; and control group (n = 60) undergoing a 3-week regimen including oral use of tegafur 800 mg x m(-2) x d(-1) tid for 14 d and then discontinuance for 1 week and intravenous drip of cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on days 1-3. The curative was evaluated after at least after 2 regimens., Results: There were 102 patients in the per-protocol population. The overall response rate of the FTQ group was 28. 3% (15/53), significantly higher than that of the control group (4.1%, 2/49, P = 0.004). The clinical improvement of the FTQ group was 50.9%, significantly higher than that of the control group (24.5%, P = 0.006). The main toxicities occurred in bone marrow and the digestive tract. The leucopenia and thrombocytopenia rates of the FTQ group were 47.45% and 32.22% respectively, both similar to those of the control group. There were no differences in the incidence rate of digestive canal side reaction between these 2 groups ., Conclusion: The regimen of FTQ combined with cisplatin is generally well-tolerated and has substantial antitumor activity.

Objective: Irinotecan (CPT-11), a specific inhibitor of topoisomerase I, has been proven to be effective in the treatment of refractory or metastatic colorectal cancer. Furthermore, several first line phase III trials of the combination therapy (FOLFIRI) using CPT-11 and fuorouracil/leucovorin (5-Fu/LV) were reported to have significant improvement in treatment result. Therefore, we designed a multicenter clinical study to observe the overall survival (OS), time to death (TTD), time to progression (TTP), efficacy and safety of FOLFIRI regimen for patients with refractory or metastatic colorectal cancer after first line chemotherapy failure., Methods: Patients with metastatic or refractory colorectal cancer after first line oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy failure were enrolled into this prospective, one arm and open-labeled multicenter study. Irinotecan 180 mg/m2 was administered biweekly on D1, LV 200 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion in 2 hours before bolus intravenous injection of 5-Fu 400 mg/m2, then followed immediately by intravenous infusion of 5-Fu 2.4 g/m2 in 46 hours. OS, TTD, TTP, response rate (RR) and adverse events were assessed according to RSCIST criteria and NCIC-CTG CTCAE (3.0)., Results: Sixty-six patients were valuable for safety assessment and and 61 for efficacy. There was no CR patient in this series. Ten patients had PR, 35 SD (57.4% ) and 16 PD (26.2%) with a response rate of 16.4% (10/61). The median TTP was 5.0 months (1-12 months), median TTD 9.9 months (5-27 months)and median OS 18.2 months (7-33 months). The adverse events including nausea,vomiting, anorexia,diarrhea, leucopenia and cholinergic syndrome were frequent, but usually in I - II degree. The rate of III/IV degree diarrhea and leucopenia was 7.6% and 22.7%, respectively., Conclusion: The regimen of irinotecan plus fuorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFIRI) is effective and well-tolerated as a second-line chemotherapy and may prolong the overall survival for the patient with refractory or metastatic colorectal cancer.

Objective: To assess the polymorphism of UGT1A gene in Chinese, and to investigate the correlation between UGT1A polymorphism and irinotecan toxicity in colorectal cancer patients., Methods: 70 patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated with irinotecan and 5-fluorouracil. Polymorphism analysis was performed in all those patients and 100 healthy subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing., Results: 14 patients exhibiting grade 3 - 4 neutropenia (20.0%), 16 patients experienced grade 2 - 4 diarrhea (22.9%), including only 4 patients with grade 3 - 4 diarrhea (5.7%). Compared with TA6/7 and TA7/7, UGT1 A1 * 28 wild genotype TA6/6 was significantly associated with reduced toxicity (42.1% vs. 15.7%, P = 0.027). There was no significant difference in the distribution of UGT1A genotypes between colorectal cancer patients and healthy subjects., Conclusion: Chinese patients exhibit less irinotecan-related diarrhea due to higher frequence of UGT1A A1 * 28 wild genotype TA6/6.

Background & Objective: ZD1839, a selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), has clinical antitumor activity, but its efficacy is low. This study was to assess the effects of ZD1839 in combination with oxaliplatin on lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549, and to provide pre-clinical evidence for optimizing the schedule of oxaliplatin combined with ZD1839., Methods: Chou and Talalay method was used to analyze the combination effects of sequencing ZD1839 and oxaliplatin on A549 cells. Cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The effects of oxaliplatin combined with ZD1839 on the proliferation of A549 cells in nude mice were also evaluated., Results: Sequential oxaliplatin followed by ZD1839 produced synergistic effect, with a combination index (CI) of 0.51+/-0.01. In contrast, ZD1839 followed by oxaliplatin exhibited antagonist effect, with a CI of 1.56+/-0.03. Compared with other sequences, oxaliplatin followed by ZD1839 induced more cells being arrested in G(2/M) phase (37.9%, P<0.05); the apoptosis rate was 22.3%. The inhibition rate of tumor growth in nude mice was 58.9% when treated with oxaliplatin followed by ZD1839, 52.4% when treated with oxaliplatin and ZD1839 for 24 h and followed by ZD1839 for additional 48 h, and 30.6% when treated with ZD1839 followed by oxaliplatin., Conclusion: Sequential oxaliplatin followed by ZD1839 has the maximal inhibitory effect on the proliferation of A549 cells.

Objective: To investigate the influence of cervical sympathetic nerve block (SB) on blood flow volume and barrier function of intestinal mucosa after combined radiation and burn injury in rat., Methods: SD rats were divided into three groups: control (n = 18), combined injury group (n = 100, rats with Co gamma ray body irradiation with a dose of 5 Gy plus 15% TBSA full-thickness burn injury), and combined injury with SB treatment (n = 100, with the same dose of gamma-ray irradiation and burn injury, treated with SB). Twenty rats were sacrificed on 0, 1, 5, 7 days after combined injuries for various observations. SB was conducted with injection of ropivhydrochloride into the neck bilaterally for the SB group, and same amount of normal saline was injected instead in the combined injury group. Blood flow volume, changes in villus height and crypt depth in jejunum, Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity, permeability of small intestine were measured at different time-points., Results: The blood flow volume in small intestinal mucosal on 1 post-injury days (PID) [(0.29 +/- 0.07) ml x min(-1) x g(-1)] were obviously decreased than that in normal controls [(1.26 +/- 0.23) ml x min(-1) x g(-1), P < 0.01 ], with serious destruction of pit cells, decrease in intestinal mucosal Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity, and increase in intestinal mucosal permeability. Compared with combined injury group, the blood flow volume was [(0.82 +/- 0.11) ml x min(-1) x g(-1) 1 day after combined injury, P < 0.01], and the Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity was obviously increased, and the permeability of small intestine was ameliorated., Conclusion: SB can increase blood flow volume of rat small intestine after combined radiation and burn injury, promote the repair of intestinal epithelium and improve the barrier function of the intestinal wall.

Adsorption behavior of metsulfuron-methyl on soils and minerals was investigated using batch experiment. The concentration of metsulfuron-methyl in supernatant was analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) method. Metsulfuron-methyl, whose peak centered at 4.6 min in capillary electrophoresis chromatogram, was well separated from impurities in soil slurry. CE was shown to be fast with low operating cost in the routine determination of the herbicide, which was further confirmed by high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). Sorption isotherms were fitted to the Freundlich equation, where the parameter Kf was in the range of 0.82-199.69 for minerals and 1.97-10.48 for soils, respectively. Among the various factors influencing the sorption behavior of metsulfuron-methyl, soil pH appeared to be the most important one. The electrostatic interaction mechanism was applied in the explanation of the sorption behavior of metsulfuron-methyl.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between mutation in EGFR tyrosine kinase domain and tumor response as well as prognosis in advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with iressa., Methods: From May 2002 to Feb. 2005, iressa was orally administered at a dose of 250 mg once daily for 106 advanced stage NSCLC patients until occurrence of disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Cancer tissue was obtained from these patients, and DNA was extracted for analysis of mutation in exon 18 to 24 of EGFR. Exon 18 to 24 of EGFR were amplified by nest PCR, sequenced and analyzed from both sense and antisence directions., Results: Primary NSCLC tissue specimens consisted of 25 frozen tissue blocks and 81 paraffin-embedded tumor tissue blocks from 106 consecutive NSCLC patients. Mutation was found to be more frequent in the adenocarcinoma than in the squamous cell carcinoma (35.9% vs 14.3%, P =0.033). Mutation was identified in 32 patients (30.2%). Response rate to iressa was 71.9% in the patients with EGFR mutation versus 13.5% in those without mutation (P <0.01). Compared with the patients without EGFR mutation, those with mutation had longer overall survival (median, 13.45 vs. 5.25 months; P<0.01) and median time to progression (median, 8.35 vs. 3.0 months; P <0.01)., Conclusion: EGFR mutation may be positively correlated with the response and survival in advanced stage Chinese NSCLC patient treated with iressa.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of gefitinib as second-line or even third-line treatment for previously treated patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)., Methods: 156 patients with locally advanced NSCLC which were about to undergo progression after previous chemotherapy were eligible for this study. The regimen was oral intake of gefitinib 250 mg once daily in the morning or afternoon until the disease progression or toxicity has become intolerable. The drug was provided by AstroZeneca Company by its Expanded Access Program., Results: 154 such patients were evaluable for response and toxicity assessment. The overall rate of objective response and disease control was 28.6% (44/154) and 89.6% (138/154). The median duration of response was 7. 5 months. The median time to disease progression (TTP) was 5. 1 months and the median overall survival time (OS) 10.0 months. The actuarial 1-year survival was 41. 0%. The response rate in adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that in squamous carcinoma (P = 0. 026). The risk of disease progression in patients with squamous carcinoma was 1. 7 times as much as that of adenocarcinoma patients ( P = 0. 011) , and the risk of death in male was 2. 0 times as much as that in female ( P = 0. 002). At least one of these adverse events would be observed in 40.9% (63/154) of these patients, which, however was mild and reversible. Conclusion Gefitinib is effective and safe as a second-line or third-line treatment for previously treated patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

A bisphenol A(BPA) degrading strain B-16 was isolated from compost leachate of municipal solid waste. According to the morphological characteristics, physiological and biochemical, and sequence analysis of 16S rDNA, the strain was identified preliminarily as Achromobacter xylosoxidans. By tests in shaking flasks, the effects of the conditions of growth was studied, and it was determined that the optimum conditions were inoculum amount 0.6%, pH 7.0, and 30 degrees C. Under these conditions, when the initial concentrations were low (3, 5, 10 mg/L), the degradation reaction tallied with one order kinetic characteristic, while when in high initial concentrations (20, 50 mg/L), the degradation reaction can't be described by one order kinetic characteristic. When the initial concentration was 10 mg/L, the degradation rate was maximal, and it was 46.93%.

Objective: To assess the optimal regimen and its mechanism of ZD1839 in combination with SN38, the active metabolite of irinotecan (CPT-11), in the colon cancer cell lines HT-29 and LoVo., Methods: Chou and Talalay method was used to analyze the combination effects of sequencing of ZD1839 and SN38. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation were used to determine the effects of ZD1839 and/or SN38 on their targeted enzymes and downstream markers. Apoptosis was assayed by analyzing histone-associated DNA fragment., Results: Sequential SN38 followed by ZD1839 produced a synergistic effect. In contrast, SN38 following ZD1839 exhibited an antagonist effect. SN38 markedly inhibited topoisomerase I (Topo-I) activity. ZD1839 did not alter epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, but resulted in a complete inhibition of EGFR phosphorylation. Sequential ZD1839 followed by SN38 did not show any enhanced inhibition effect on Topo-I activity, phosphorylation of EGFR and one of its downstream markers MAPK. However, simultaneous SN38 plus ZD1839, and sequential SN38 followed by ZD1839 administrations showed modest inhibition effect on EGFR's another downstream marker AKT. The combination schedules also showed prominent influence on cell cycle distribution. ZD1839 maintained SN38-induced DNA damage and apoptosis., Conclusion: Sequential SN38 followed by ZD1839 may be a favorable combination schedule.

Contents of fluorine in the plough layer (0-20 cm) of paddy soils from Hangjiahu Plain were investigated to evaluate quality of fluorine using total fluorine index method. Kriging method was applied to study the spatial variability of soil total fluorine in relation to their influential factors and their distribution maps were obtained based on GIS. The results showed that the range of total fluorine (TF) contents in the soils from central and eastern parts of Hangjiahu Plain was higher than that from the western part. The concentrations of TF in soil had a close relationship with parent material, pH value, organic matter, cation exchange capacity content and soil texture. The main range of TF was 200-300 mg/kg, while TF contents accounting for 23.7% of the area were less than 200 mg/kg in the studied area. In which TF contents in soil in Yuhang County were the lowest, less than 100 mg/kg.

Contents of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu) in soils from 4 main vegetable plantations in Hangzhou suburb were investigated to evaluate environmental quality of heavy metals of soils and vegetables. Different evaluation methods and evaluation standards of heavy metals were used for comparison. Kriging method was applied to study the spatial variability of heavy metals in soil-vegetable system. The distribution maps of the spatial variability of heavy metals in soil-vegetable system in Jianggan District were obtained based on GIS method. The results show that the soils were polluted with Pb, Zn, and Cu using natural background values as evaluation standard. While using National Standard as evaluation standard, the soils were not polluted. Contents of heavy metals in Gongshu District were the highest of four investigated districts. The concentration distribution of heavy metals had different spatial variability. The content of Pb in vegetables was higher than those of Zn and Cu and exceeded the national vegetable sanitation standard. The order for their enrichment coefficients was as follows: Zn> Pb> Cu. The accumulation coefficient for green vegetable was higher than that of Chinese cabbage, indicating green vegetable could easily accumulate heavy metals from soils than Chinese cabbage.

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of thymidylate synthase (TS), topoisomerase-1 (Topo-1), and proliferating index Ki-67 in advanced colorectal cancer patients on irinotecan (CPT-11) in combination with fluorouracil treatment (5-Fu)., Methods: The biomarker expression of TS, Topo-1 and Ki-67 in 78 patients detected immunohistochemically were correlated with the clinical outcome., Results: The expressions of those biomarkers were not correlated with clinical therapeutic response, but with time to progression (TTP) and/or overall survival (OS). Patients with low expression of TS had significantly longer TTP (P < 0.05) and in OS (P < 0.05). The low expression of Ki-67 was also significantly predictive of longer survival (P < 0.05). As compared with any biomarker, the combination of any two biomarkers still possessed no predictive value to therapeutic response, but an enhanced predictive value to prognosis. The median time to progression in patients with low expression of TS, or Ki-67, or both were 9, 8 and 17 months, respectively; in patients with low expression of TS, or Topo-1, or both were 9, 9 and 13 months; in patients with low expression of Topo-1, or Ki-67, or both were 8, 9 and 11 months. TTP was significantly longer in patients with low expression of two biomarkers as compared with those with high expression (P = 0.031)., Conclusion: TS, Topo-1, and Ki-67 are not predictive for chemotherapy response to CPT-11 combined with 5-Fu, but valuable in predicting prognosis. The combination of any two biomarkers can provide more powerful prognostic information for advanced colorectal cancer patients.

The contents of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in soils from a lead-zinc mine in Shangyu, Zhejiang Province, China, were analyzed and their toxicity was assessed by toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP), which was developed by US EPA. The TCLP method is a currently recognized international method for evaluation of heavy metal pollution in soils. The available levels of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd were 8.2-36 mg x kg(-1), 23-143 mg x kg(-1), 6.4-1367 mg x kg(-1) and 0.41-2.2 mg x kg(-1), respectively, while the international standard were 15 mg x kg(-1), 25 mg x kg(-1), 5 mg x kg(-1) and 0.5 mg x kg(-1), respectively. The results show that soils around the mine are polluted with heavy metals Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd, especially polluted by Zn and Pb, followed by Cd and Cu. Moreover, the heavy metals in the soils extracted by TCLP indicate that fluid 2 is more effective than fluid 1 in extracting the heavy metals from the polluted soils and there is a positive correlation between fluid 1 and fluid 2. The contents of available heavy metals by TCLP are correlated with contents of total heavy metals.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of replicative adenovirus CNHK300 targeted at telomerase-positive hepatocellular carcinoma., Methods: Human liver cancer cell line HepGII and Hep3B, human embryonic kidney cell line 293, and normal human fibroblasts of the line BJ were cultured and added with adenoviruses CNHK300, ONYX-015 (55 000 protein deleted adenovirus), or wtAd5 (wild type 5) with different multiplicity of infection (MOI) for 7 days. 293 cells were used to measure the titer of the filial generation virus from different cells. The cell survival rate was calculated by MTT method 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after. Different cells were added with CNHK300 virus and then the E1A protein in the cytoplasm was measured by western blotting. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the CNHK300-EGFP proliferation after the cells were cultured and added with the virus for 1.5 hours., Results: The replicative viruses CNHK300 and wtAd5 proliferated rapidly in HepGII and Hep3B cells since 24 hours after inoculation and proliferated 40625 and 65326 times respectively with a proliferation potential similar to that of the wild-type adenovirus and much higher than that of the ONYX-015 virus. CNHK300 of the MOI of 0.0002 killed half of the cancer cells, especially those of the line Hep3B, within 5 approximately 6 days, and CNHK300 virus of the MOI of 0.5 pfu/cell killed almost all the HepGII cells in the 8th day, with a killing power lower than that of the wild-type virus and higher than that of the ONYX-015 cells. The IC(50) was as low as MOI of 0.002 pfu/cell for the Hep3B cell and was as high as MOI of 100 pfu/cell for the BJ cell. CNHK300 was a less powerful killer of fibroblasts than wild-type virus. E1A expression was shown by western blotting in 293 cells and CNHK300-infected liver cancer cells, but not in the CNHK300-infected normal human fibroblasts. Fluorescence microscopy showed only isolated fluorescence-positive fibroblasts till the 10th day of infection, but obvious proliferation of CNHK300-EGFP virus since the 3rd day and fluorescence-positive cells in sheets by the 7th day, however, the fluorescent intensity was weakened since the 10th day., Conclusion: Tumor-selective adenovirus CNHK300 replicates in telomerase-positive liver cancer cells efficiently as well as wtAd5 and causes oncolysis, but has severely attenuated proliferation and cytolysis in normal cells.