Vision-Related Quality of Life and Emotional Impact in Children with Strabismus: A Prospective Study

The potential impact of the surgical correction of strabismus on vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) and the symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with strabismus remain unclear. The present study included 60 children with strabismus: 30 with heterophoria and 30 with heterotropia. A healthy age-and gender-matched control group ( n = 60) was also recruited. The psychological instruments that were used were the short-form 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The results demonstrated that eight of the 12 NEI-VFQ-25 subscales were significantly impaired in children with strabismus compared with matched controls. Compared with pre-operative values, significant improvements were noted after surgery in the NEI-VFQ-25 summary score, and the anxiety and depression scores. This study demonstrated that the NEI-VFQ-25 instrument can be used in strabismus children and that surgical interventions can improve VRQOL, anxiety and depression in strabismus patients.

Baseline quality of life as a prognostic factor for overall survival in lung cancer patients

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Background: Useful predictors of survival in cancer patients have been found including such as gender, race, age, marital status, state of disease and tumor location. We set to explore the prognostic value of baseline QOL assessments on overall survival in lung cancer patients. Methods: A total of 1,319 lung cancer patients were followed at Mayo Clinic between 1997 and 2007. Overall QOL was assessed by either Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) or a single-item Linear Analogue Self Assessment (LASA) with comparable wording. QOL scores were transformed to a 0–100 scale with higher scores representing better status. Patients QOL scores assessed within the first 6 months of follow-up were dichotomized using a priori definition for clinically deficiency score (CDS, ≤50 vs. >50). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the distribution of survival times by QOL clinical deficient categorization. Cox Proportional Hazards Models were used to evaluate the prognostic importance of QOL on OS alone and in the presence of age, smoking category, gender, treatment, stage of disease, smoking cessation and years of consuming a pack every day. Results: Baseline QOL was significantly associated with OS univariately (HR=0.46 with p<0.0001 based on the CDS categorization). After controlling for all these other factors, the indication of a clinically deficient baseline QOL contributed significantly to the prediction of patient survival (p=0.0002; HR=0.67). Age, treatment, disease stage, smoking cessation and smoking category were also significant predictors of OS multivariately. The median survival for patients that had an overall QOL score less than the CDS (≤50) was 1.6 versus 4.6 years for patients with QOL >50. Conclusions: Baseline overall QOL measured by LCSS or LASA is a significant and independent prognostic factor for OS in lung cancer patients. A meaningful next step in this research is to investigate interventions to improve lung cancer patient QOL and thereby increase their likelihood of survival as well.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Quality of life in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving first-line gefitinib monotherapy

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Background: Gefitinib is a potential first-line treatment option for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially for patients with activating mutations in the EGFR gene. However, little is known about patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in this patient population. The aims of this study were to explore the prognostic values of baseline HRQOL for time-to-treatment failure (TTF), as well as the predictors of repeatedly measured posttreatment HRQOL, in advanced NSCLC patients receiving first-line gefitinib. Methods: A total of 106 chemonaive patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in a phase II trial. Gefitinib was given at a dose of 250 mg/d. HRQOL was assessed monthly with the EuroQoL instrument (EQ-5D) and the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) questionnaire. Baseline HRQOL and clinical/molecular predictors of TTF were jointly examined by multiple Cox's proportional hazards model. The associations between the clinical/molecular factors and repeatedly measured posttreatment HRQOL were analyzed by fitting marginal linear regression model using the generalized estimating equations (GEE) method. Results: In this prospective study, HRQOL data were obtained from 94 patients. Baseline EQ-5D index (estimated hazard ratio = 0.286, 95% C.I.: 0.135–0.603, p = 0.001) and the presence of L858R EGFR mutation in adenocarcinoma (estimated hazard ratio = 0.520, 95% C.I.: 0.307–0.880, p = 0.015) were retained as independent prognostic factors in the final multiple Cox's proportional hazards model for TTF. According to preliminary GEE analysis of repeatedly measured posttreatment HRQOL, the patients with wild-type EGFR consistently had worse HRQOL in EQ-5D index (p < 0.0001), EQ-5D VAS score (p = 0.0002), and LCSS global score (p < 0.0001), respectively. Conclusions: In advanced NSCLC patients receiving first-line gefitinib, better baseline EQ-5D index and L858R EGFR mutation in adenocarcinoma predict longer TTF. In addition, patients with wild-type EGFR had worse posttreatment HRQOL.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prognostic factors of survival in 236 advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients enrolled in prospective clinical trials of systemic therapy

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Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant disease. Promising results of prospective clinical trials using systemic therapy for patients with advanced HCC are emerging. The aim of this study was to explore prognostic factors of survival in advanced HCC patients eligible for clinical trials of systemic therapy. Methods: From December 1990 to July 2005, 236 patients with unresectable HCC were enrolled into 6 phase II trials of systemic therapy using the following regimens: (1) oral etoposide + tamoxifen, (2)doxorubicin + tamoxifen, (3)IFN-α2b + doxorubicin + tamoxifen, (4)pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, (5)thalidomide, and (6)arsenic trioxide. Univariate and multivariate analyses of 23 relevant clinical characteristics/staging systems were used to identify prognostic factors of survival. Results: Baseline characteristics: median age 55; male/female: 192/44; HBsAg(+) 71%; anti-HCV(+) 30%; Okuda stage I/II/III: 42%/55%/3%; AJCC stage III/IV: 30%/61%; BCLC stage B/C/D: 1%/94%/5%; CLIP score 0–3/4–6: 70%/30%; portal vein thrombosis 53%; extrahepatic metastasis 59%; prior chemoembolization 46%. The objective response rate according to WHO criteria was 11.4%. The median overall survival was 118 days (95% CI, 103–133). In the multivariate analysis, significant predictors of a shorter overall survival were: HBsAg(+) with a hazard ratio (HR) = 1.808 (95% CI, 1.121–2.916; P= 0.015), symptomatic with HR = 1.745 (95% CI, 1.072–2.840; P= 0.025), ECOG≥2 with HR = 1.763 (95% CI, 1.040–2.988; P= 0.035), and high BCLC stage with HR = 3.282 (95% CI, 1.129–9.541; P= 0.029). Conclusions: Patients with advanced HCC who are eligible for systemic therapeutic trials have patient- and disease-related prognostic factors. Positive HBsAg, symptomatic, ECOG performance≥2, and high BCLC stage predict a shorter overall survival.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A phase II study of sorafenib in combination with tegafur/uracil (UFT) for Asian patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

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Background: Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor with antiangiogenic activity, has recently been approved for the treatment of unresectable HCC. Combination of sorafenib with metronomic chemotherapy has theoretic advantage in improving antitumor activity without increasing toxicities. UFT (tegafur: uracil = 4:1 in molar ratio), an oral fluoropyrimidine, is active in various gastrointestinal cancers. We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sorafenib plus low-dose UFT in advanced HCC patients (pts). Methods: Pts with histologically or cytologically proven unresectable/metastatic HCC, ECOG PS 0–2, Child-Puch class A, platelets ≥ 100 K/μl, transaminases ≤ 5 × ULN, bilirubin ≤ 3 mg/dl, INR ≤ 2.3 and creatinine ≤ 1.5 × ULN were enrolled. Prior systemic therapy for advanced disease is not allowed. Sorafenib (400 mg bid) and UFT (125 mg/m2 based on tegafur bid) were taken per os continuously. Tumor assessment was performed q8w by RECIST criteria. Primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Between April 2007 and April 2008, 53 pts were enrolled. Baseline pts characteristics were: M/F, 47/6; median age 57 (range, 31–83); CLIP score 0–3/4, 48/5; extrahepatic spread/macroscopic vascular invasion, 33/30; and HBsAg(+)/anti-HCV(+)/both(+), 38/13/4. 89% of pts were BCLC stage C. Pts received a median of 3.7 (range 0.3- 18.9+) months of treatment. There were 3 (6%) PR and 27 (51%) SD. The median PFS and OS were of 3.7 months (95% C.I., 1.9- 5.5) and 7.4 months (95% C.I., 3.4- 11.4), respectively. Adverse events (AEs) were summarized in Table . Hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR), fatigue, and diarrhea were most common AEs. HFSR was the major AE resulting in dose reduction (19%) or treatment delay (21%). Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 2 pts (4%). Conclusions: Adding metronomic UFT chemotherapy to sorafenib may improve therapeutic efficacy of the latter in pts with advanced HCC. The toxicity profile of the combination is similar to that of sorafenib alone.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

[Effect of liposomal albendazole on the ultrastructure of Echinococcus granulosus cysts in mice]

AIM

To observe the histopathological changes of Echinococcus granulosus cysts in mice treated with liposomal albendazole and co-administration with cimetidine by light microscopy and electron microscopy.

METHODS

An oral dose of liposomal ABZ with different formulations was given at 200 mg/kg.d. Cimetidine was administered daily at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg.d. Sixty-seven mice were orally given different drugs six days per week for a total of twelve weeks.

RESULTS

The histopathological changes indicated that there were significant differences (P < 0.01) between treated groups and control group. The degeneration and necrosis of E. granulosus cysts were marked in liposomal albendazole combined with cimetidin group.

CONCLUSION

Liposomal albendazole was more effective against E. granulosus cyst than albendazole. Cimetidine had an apparent synergistic effect when given in combination with liposomal albendazle.

Association of misconceptions about HIV transmission and discriminatory attitudes in rural China

This study examined HIV-related knowledge and attitudes among 524 randomly selected adult residents from 12 rural Chinese communities where HIV infection among plasma donors has been reported. Most participants were familiar with the main routes of HIV transmission but had substantial misconceptions about risk of HIV transmission through casual social contacts. Higher score of misconception and being older and married independently predicted stronger discriminatory attitude. Intervention programs with focus on eliminating misconceptions about HIV transmission may reduce stigma.

P53 gene codon 72 polymorphism and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a case/control study in a Chinese population

The aims of this study were to investigate whether p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism was a biomarker associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its relationship with smoking status in China. The p53 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism among 673 patients with ESCC and 694 healthy controls. The association between p53 genotypes and risk of developing ESCC was estimated by odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) computed by logistic regression. Compared with Arg/Arg homozygotes, Pro/Pro homozygotes had a nearly twofold increased risk (adjusted OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.35-2.48). For the Pro/Arg heterozygotes, there was no evident increased risk (adjusted OR, 1.01, 95% CI, 0.78-1.30). Furthermore, the risk associated with the Pro/Pro variant genotype was more pronounced in younger patients at diagnosis (= 45 years) (OR, 7.4; 95% CI, 1.44-37.89, P = 0.02), in women (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.52-4.53, P = 0.02) and in non-smokers (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.58-3.94) and light smokers (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.15-3.93). But tests for homogeneity between smoking-related OR showed no significant differences (P = 0.4). The p53 gene codon 72 Pro/Pro genotype was significantly associated with the increased risk of ESCC in a Chinese mainland population and may be an independent factor in susceptibility to ESCC. The association was especially noteworthy in women and in younger patients.

The UL31 to UL35 gene sequences of Duck enteritis virus correspond to their homologs in herpes simplex virus 1

Five ORFs in the genome of Duck enteritis virus (DEV) corresponding to UL31, UL32, UL33, UL34, and UL35 genes of Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) were amplified by a modified "targeted gene walking" PCR, cloned, and sequenced. UL33, UL34, and UL35 genes were oriented from the left to the right of genome, while UL31 and UL32 had an opposite orientation. A comparison of deduced amino acid sequences of the DEV ORFs with their alphaherpesvirus homologs showed well-conserved regions except for the UL34 and UL35 genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that DEV was closer to the genus Mardivirus than to any other genus of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae. Based on this evidence, we proposed to assign DEV to the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae.

Evaluation of thermal properties of food materials at high pressures using a dual-needle line-heat-source method

Thermal properties of food systems at high pressure (HP) are important in the design and operation of HP processing equipment. Available techniques for thermal property evaluation under HP conditions are still very limited. In this study, a dual-needle line-heat-source (DNL) device was installed in an HP vessel to evaluate thermal conductivity (k), diffusivity (alpha), and volumetric heat capacity (C(pV)) of foods at high pressure. The DNL probe was calibrated using glycerin (0.1 MPa) and 2% (w/w) agar gel (0.1 to 350 MPa) at 5 and 25 degrees C. Calibration results showed a good correlation with the reference data of pure water: R(2)= 0.966 for thermal conductivity and R(2)= 0.837 for diffusivity, and a small standard deviation of relative error (3.18%) for the volumetric heat capacity. Fresh potato and cheddar cheese were used as test samples at 5 degrees C at selected pressure levels (0.1 to 350 MPa). The potato samples gave thermal properties very close to those of pure water, but much higher than those of the cheese. The k and alpha values of both potato and cheese increased with pressure and a 2nd-order polynomial well fitted their pressure dependency. The volumetric heat capacity data did not show a clear pressure-dependency trend. The experimental system worked well for the evaluation of thermal properties at pressures up to 350 MPa.