Search for gravitational waves associated with γ-ray bursts detected by the interplanetary network

We present the results of a search for gravitational waves associated with 223 γ-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the InterPlanetary Network (IPN) in 2005-2010 during LIGO's fifth and sixth science runs and Virgo's first, second, and third science runs. The IPN satellites provide accurate times of the bursts and sky localizations that vary significantly from degree scale to hundreds of square degrees. We search for both a well-modeled binary coalescence signal, the favored progenitor model for short GRBs, and for generic, unmodeled gravitational wave bursts. Both searches use the event time and sky localization to improve the gravitational wave search sensitivity as compared to corresponding all-time, all-sky searches. We find no evidence of a gravitational wave signal associated with any of the IPN GRBs in the sample, nor do we find evidence for a population of weak gravitational wave signals associated with the GRBs. For all IPN-detected GRBs, for which a sufficient duration of quality gravitational wave data are available, we place lower bounds on the distance to the source in accordance with an optimistic assumption of gravitational wave emission energy of 10(-2)M⊙c(2) at 150 Hz, and find a median of 13 Mpc. For the 27 short-hard GRBs we place 90% confidence exclusion distances to two source models: a binary neutron star coalescence, with a median distance of 12 Mpc, or the coalescence of a neutron star and black hole, with a median distance of 22 Mpc. Finally, we combine this search with previously published results to provide a population statement for GRB searches in first-generation LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors and a resulting examination of prospects for the advanced gravitational wave detectors.

Low magnitude high frequency vibration accelerated cartilage degeneration but improved epiphyseal bone formation in anterior cruciate ligament transect induced osteoarthritis rat model

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of low-magnitude high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) on degenerated articular cartilage and subchondral bone in anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) induced osteoarthritis (OA) rat model.

METHODS

6 months old female Sprague-Dawley rats received ACLT on right knee and randomly divided into treatment and control groups. OA developed 12 weeks after surgery. LMHFV (35 Hz, 0.3 g) treatment was given 20 min/day and 5 days/week. After 6, 12 and 18 weeks, six rats of each group were sacrificed at each time point and the right knees were harvested. OA grading score, distal femur cartilage volume (CV), subchondral bone morphology, elastic modulus of cartilage and functional changes between groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

Increased cartilage degradation (higher OA grading score) and worse functional results (lower duty cycle, regular index and higher limb idleness index) were observed after LMHFV treatment (P = 0.011, 0.020, 0.012 and 0.005, respectively). CV increased after LMHFV treatment (P = 0.019). Subchondral bone density increased with OA progress (P < 0.01). Increased BV/TV, Tb.N and decreased Tb.Sp were observed in distal femur epiphysis in LMHFV treatment group (P = 0.006, 0.018 and 0.011, respectively).

CONCLUSION

LMHFV accelerated cartilage degeneration and caused further functional deterioration of OA affected limb in ACLT-induced OA rat model. In contrast, LMHFV promoted bone formation in OA affected distal femur epiphysis, but did not reverse OA progression.

A quantitative approach to histopathological dissection of elastin-related disorders using multiphoton microscopy

BACKGROUND

Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is a novel imaging technology that has recently become applicable for diagnostic purposes. The use of (near) infrared light in MPM allows for deep tissue imaging. In addition, this modality exploits the autofluorescent nature of extracellular matrix fibres within the skin.

OBJECTIVES

To quantitate the structure and abundance of elastic fibres in human dermis in three dimensions utilizing autofluorescent signals generated by MPM for the objective examination of elastin-related skin disorders.

METHODS

Cross-sections of skin samples from elastin-related disorders were analysed by MPM and correlated to histopathology. In situ visualization of elastic fibres by MPM was conducted by en face imaging of ex vivo skin samples through the intact epidermis. Image analysis software was used to quantify elastic fibres in three dimensions.

RESULTS

Based on the MPM-detected elastin-specific autofluorescence, we developed the Dermal Elastin Morphology Index (DEMI), calculated as the ratio of elastic fibre surface area and volume. This enabled objective three-dimensional quantification of elastic fibres. Quantitative scoring of sun-damaged skin using DEMI correlated with qualitative histopathological grading of the severity of solar elastosis. Furthermore, this approach was applied to changes in elastic fibre architecture in other disorders, such as pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), PXE-like syndrome, elastofibroma, focal dermal elastosis, anetoderma, mid-dermal elastolysis and striae distensae. We imaged elastic fibres in intact ex vivo skin imaged en face through the epidermis, indicating that this approach could be used in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

MPM has the potential for noninvasive in vivo visualization of elastic fibres in the dermis with near histological resolution. DEMI allows objective assessment of elastic fibres to support diagnosis and monitoring of disease progress or therapy of elastin-related skin disorders.

The histone methyltransferase ESET is required for the survival of spermatogonial stem/progenitor cells in mice

Self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the foundation of spermatogenesis throughout a male's life. SSC transplantation will be a valuable solution for young male patients to preserve their fertility. As SSCs in the collected testis tissue from the patients are very limited, it is necessary to expansion the SSCs in vitro. Previous studies suggested that histone methyltransferase ERG-associated protein with SET domain (ESET) represses gene expression and is essential for the maintenance of the pool of embryonic stem cells and neurons. The objective of this study was to determine the role of ESET in SSCs using in vitrocell culture and germ cell transplantation. Cell transplantation assay showed that knockdown of ESET reduced the number of seminiferous tubules with spermatogenesis when compared with that of the control. Knockdown of ESET also upregulated the expression of apoptosis-associated genes (such as P53, Caspase9, Apaf1), whereas inhibited the expression of apoptosis-suppressing genes (such as Bcl2l1, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein). In addition, suppression of ESET led to increase in expression of Caspase9 and activation of Caspase3 (P17) as well as cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Among the five ESET-targeting genes (Cox4i2, spermatogenesis and oogenesis Specific Basic Helix-Loop-Helix 2, Nobox, Foxn1 and Dazl) examined by ChIP assay, Cox4i2 was found to regulate SSC apoptosis by the rescue experiment. BSP analyses further showed that DNA methylation in the promoter loci of Cox4i2was influenced by ESET, indicating that ESET also regulated gene expression through DNA methylation in addition to histone methylation. In conclusion, we found that ESET regulated SSC apoptosis by suppressing of Cox4i2 expression through histone H3 lysine 9 tri-methylation and DNA methylation. The results obtained will provide unique insights that would broaden the research on SSC biology and contribute to the treatment of male infertility.

Incidence of acute mountain sickness in young adults at 3200 meters: comparison of the Lake Louise Scoring and Chinese Scoring Systems

The purpose of this study was to compare two scoring systems used for the diagnosis of acute mountain sickness (AMS): the Lake Louise Scoring (AMS-LLS) and the Chinese Scoring Systems (AMS-CSS). In total, 339 healthy young adult volunteers residing at sea level ascended to 3200 m by train and bus over a total journey time of 48 h. All subjects ascended in the same manner and were divided into three groups that were assessed after one (N = 88), two (N = 91), and three (N = 160) nights, respectively, at altitude. The overall incidence of AMS was 17.11% (N = 58) and 29.79% (N = 101) according to the AMS-LLS and AMS-CSS, respectively. Two participants (0.59%) experienced high-altitude pulmonary edema. Both scoring systems showed the highest incidence of AMS after the second night at high altitude. The AMS-CSS and AMS-LLS scores were significantly correlated (Pearson's r = 0.820, P < 0.001). The AMS-CSS identified all AMS subjects diagnosed by the AMS-LLS, and an additional 43 subjects. The dominant symptoms were reduced exercise tolerance (61.7%), fatigue (49.0%), dizziness (28.9%), chest distress (28.3%), and headache (27.4%). Compared with the AMS-LLS, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the AMS-CSS were 100, 84.7, 57.43, and 100%, respectively. There was no relationship between oxygen saturation levels and AMS scores at 3200 m. In summary, the AMS-CSS was similar to AMS-LLS, except that it resulted in more positive diagnoses, and headache did not play a large diagnostic role.

Dioscin prevents the mitochondrial apoptosis and attenuates oxidative stress in cardiac H9c2 cells

To determine if dioscin protects cardiac cells from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by preventing apoptosis.Cardiac H9c2 cells were subjected to simulated I/R. Cell viability was evaluated by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected with dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF). Apoptosis was evaluated with flow cytometric assay. Rhodamine 123 (Rho123) was used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). ELISA was used to detect cytochrome c (Cyt-c) release from mitochondria to the cytosol. Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA expressions were measured with RT-PCR.Dioscin reduced cell death and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in cells subjected to I/R. I/R induced apoptosis and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to the cytosol and this was prevented by dioscin. In support, dioscin decreased Bax but increased Bcl-2 mRNA expression. Dioscin prevented I/R induced dissipation of ΔΨm. Finally, dioscin increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression but reduced intracellular ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.Dioscin protects H9c2 cells from H/R injury by modulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway through attenuation of oxidative stress.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate is a possible fibrogenic factor in gluteal muscle fibrosis

Gluteal muscle contracture (GMC) is a chronic fibrotic disease of gluteal muscles due to multiple etiologies. The main pathologic process is characterized by proliferation of fibroblasts and excessive accumulation of collagen in the extracellular matrix of the muscle. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid and has been reported to be associated with various fibrotic diseases. However, the role of S1P in GMC remains unknown. Here in this article, High-performance liquid chromatography and immunohistochemistry were applied to evaluate S1P localization and expression in clinical samples from patients with GMC, Quantitative real time PCR, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to explore the link between transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and S1P. The results showed that S1P was enhanced in contraction band (CB) tissues. Studies using the cell proliferation and transformation assay indicated that exogenous S1P stimulated CB fibroblast proliferation in a time-dependent manner and in higher concentration also in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrated that S1P not only promoted collagen type I production, but also up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. These findings suggest that S1P may regulate increased synthesis of collagen and other fibrogenic factors, and significantly contributes to the process of gluteal muscle scarring in patients with GMC.

Empirical likelihood-based confidence intervals for length-biased data

Logistic or other constraints often preclude the possibility of conducting incident cohort studies. A feasible alternative in such cases is to conduct a cross-sectional prevalent cohort study for which we recruit prevalent cases, that is, subjects who have already experienced the initiating event, say the onset of a disease. When the interest lies in estimating the lifespan between the initiating event and a terminating event, say death for instance, such subjects may be followed prospectively until the terminating event or loss to follow-up, whichever happens first. It is well known that prevalent cases have, on average, longer lifespans. As such, they do not constitute a representative random sample from the target population; they comprise a biased sample. If the initiating events are generated from a stationary Poisson process, the so-called stationarity assumption, this bias is called length bias. The current literature on length-biased sampling lacks a simple method for estimating the margin of errors of commonly used summary statistics. We fill this gap by using the empirical likelihood-based confidence intervals by adapting this method to right-censored length-biased survival data. Both large and small sample behaviors of these confidence intervals are studied. We illustrate our method by using a set of data on survival with dementia, collected as part of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging.

Antitumor effect of recombinant human interferon-β adenovirus on esophageal squamous cell cancer in vitro

Interferon (IFN)-β has efficient antitumor effect both in vitro and in vivo, but its clinical implication is limited by short half-life and systemic toxicities. Gene therapy could be the choice to avoid the defects. Adenovirus vector containing human IFN-β gene was transfected into esophageal squamous cell carcinoma KYSE150 cells. Expression of human (h)IFN-β was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry in KYSE150 cells. Cell growth and clonogenic assays, and flow cytometry were used to observe the antiproliferation effect and apoptosis on tumor cells, respectively. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry showed obvious hIFN-β expression in KYSE150 cells after transfection and the tumor cell proliferation was obviously inhibited through cell proliferation and clonogenic assays. Flow cytometry analysis showed 27.3% cell apoptosis in adenovirus vector containing human IFN-β gene transfection group compared with 1.12% in empty vector control group. These findings indicate that hIFN-β gene mediated by recombinant adenovirus may have antitumor activity against human esophageal carcinoma cell by inducing apoptosis in vitro.

Double prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition for CT coronary angiography: initial experience

AIM

To evaluate the feasibility of double prospectively electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition mode (double high-pitch mode) for coronary computed tomography angiography (CTCA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients [40 women, 109 men; mean age 58.2 ± 9.2 years; sinus rhythm ≤70 beats/min (bpm) after pre-medication, body weight ≤100 kg] were enrolled for CTCA examinations using a dual-source CT system with 2 × 128 × 0.6 mm collimation, 0.28 s rotation time, and a pitch of 3.4. Double high-pitch mode was prospectively triggered first at 60% and later at 30% of the R-R interval within two cardiac cycles. Image quality was evaluated using a four-point scale (1 = excellent, 4 = non-assessable).

RESULTS

From 2085 coronary artery segments, 86.4% (1802/2085) were rated as having a score of 1, 12.3% (257/2085) as score of 2, 1.2% (26/2085) as score of 3, and none were rated as "non-assessable". The average image quality score was 1.15 ± 0.26 on a per-segment basis. The effective dose was calculated by multiplying the coefficient factor of 0.028 by the dose-length product (DLP); the mean effective dose was 3.5 ± 0.8 mSv (range 1.7-7.6 mSv). The total dosage of contrast medium was 78.7 ± 2.9 ml.

CONCLUSION

Double prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition mode provides good image quality with an average effective dose of less than 5 mSv in patients with a heart rate ≤70 bpm.

p38 MAP kinase interacts with and stabilizes pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1

Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor that plays a critical role in pancreatic development, β-cell differentiation, maintenance of normal β-cell function and tumorigenesis. PDX-1 is subjected to extensive post-translational modifications for its stability, subcellular location and transactivity. We report here that PDX-1 expression is up-regulated by p38 MAP kinase. Antibody array screen identified p38 as a candidate PDX-1-interacting protein in GFP-PDX-1 stable HEK293 cells. The p38-PDX-1 interaction was confirmed by immunoprecipitation/Western blotting analysis in both transient transfection system of HEK293 cells and endogenous system of β-TC-6 cells stimulated by glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Co-transfection of p38 with PDX-1 resulted in increased PDX-1 expression in HEK293 cells, which was accompanied by a decreased PDX-1 ubiquitination. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that Ser 268 of human PDX-1 was phosphorylated in GFP-PDX-1 stable HEK293 cells. Functional mutagenesis analysis showed that mutation of Ser 269 of mouse PDX-1 (corresponding to Ser 268 of human PDX-1) into nonphosphorylatable alanine abolished the stabilizing effect of p38 on PDX-1, which was in line with enhanced PDX-1 ubiquitination and shortened half-life of PDX-1. p38 showed kinase activity towards PDX-1 in vitro, suggesting that Ser 269 is a potential p38-regulated phosphorylation site within PDX-1. GLP-1-stimulated PDX-1 expression was accompanied by p38 kinase activation in mouse insulinoma β-TC-6 cells and p38 inhibitor SB202190 inhibited GLP-1-stimulated PDX-1 expression with accompanied inhibition of p38 kinase activation. Taken together, our studies indicated that p38 MAP kinase is a positive regulator of PDX-1 stability and that p38 exerts its stabilizing effect on PDX-1 through a phosphorylation-dependent inhibition of PDX-1 ubiquitination.

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a glutathione S-transferase involved in both anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin accumulation in Camelina sativa (Brassicaceae)

Recently, we found that the Arabidopsis TT19 protein, a glutathione S-transferase, has two functional domains that influence both anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin accumulation. To further understand the function of this protein in the other species, we cloned a cDNA encoding a glutathione S-transferase (namely CMGSTF12) from Camelina sativa, an oil crop that has received renewed interest due to its biofuel value and high omega-3 levels. Southern blot analysis demonstrated one copy of CMGSTF12 in C. sativa. Transformation of the Arabidopsis loss-of-function tt19-1 mutant with CMGSTF12 cDNA complemented accumulation of anthocyanin in vegetative tissues and resulted in the wild-type level of proanthocyanidin (both extractable and unextractable) in seeds. No obvious flavonoid accumulation changes were detected in the transgenic seeds, indicating that CMGSTF12 may only involve the lower flavonoid pathway, further proving that the TT19 protein controls accumulation of unextractable proanthocyanidin.

Abstract P4-09-09: Circulating HER2 extracellular domain (ECD) levels are associated with progression-free survival in metastatic breast cancer patients

Background: The human epidermal growth factor (HER2/neu) oncoprotein is composed of an intracellular tyrosine kinase portion, a short transmembrane section, and an extracellular ligand-binding domain (ECD). The latter is frequently cleaved from the surface of breast cancer cells and the serum HER2 ECD levels can be detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Consistent with majority of reports, our prior study showed that high circulating levels of the HER2 ECD indicates poor prognosis in 207 patients with metastatic breast cancer. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate whether serum HER2 ECD levels would predict the clinical outcome of metastatic breast cancer patients.

Methods: Till May 19, 2012, one hundred ninty metastatic breast cancer patients were followed up. Serum was available from 190 patients at baseline, 46 patients in the assessment of time. Serum HER2 ECD levels were measured by ELISA. Disease state was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Progression-free survival (PFS) was defined as the interval from the time of randomization until the first documentation of disease progression or death due to any cause. PFS and median PFS were generated by Kaplan-Meier spots.

Results: Elevated baseline HER2 ECD levels (bECD) (≥15 ng/ml) were observed in 40% (40/100) of patients with HER2-amplified tumors and 21.8% (19/87) of patients with HER2-negative tumors. Patients with bECD-elevated disease had a median PFS of 356 days compared with 229 days for patients with bECD-low disease(P = 0.001). In HER2-amplified cohort, median PFS for patients with low bECD levels was longer than those with bECD-elevated disease (391 days v 226 days, P = 0.005). And patients with low bECD levels treated with Herceptin-based regimen (n = 36) had a trend of longer PFS than patients(n = 24) treated with non-Herceptin regimen(447 days v 298 days, P = 0.227). Moreover, bECD-low patients (n = 36) showed a significantly longer median PFS than bECD-elevated patients(n = 22) when treated with Herceptin-based scheme (447 days v 229 days, P = 0.004). While, in patients with increased bECD levels, there was no statistical difference between Herceptin-treated groups (n = 22) and non-Herceptin-treated groups (n = 14) (229 days v 173 days, P = 0.761). In the HER2-negative group, patients with bECD-low disease had a median PFS of 313 days compared with 206 days for patients with bECD-elevated disease (P = 0.02). In a cohort of 46 patients whose HER2 ECD levels were monitored during treatment, 29 patients remains low ECD levels, 12 patients convert from elevated to low, 2 patients convert from low to high, and 3 patients remains elevated HER2 ECD levels. The patients who remained low ECD levels or achieved low ECD leves have significantly longer PFS than those whose levels remained above 15ng/mL or converted from low to high regardless of treatment given (440 days v 192days, P = 0.019).

Conclusion: Elevated HER2 bECD predicts poor median PFS irrespective of HER2 status. HER2-amplified patients with low-HER2 ECD levels may get more benefit from Herceptin-based scheme. Remained low-HER2 ECD levels or decreases in serum HER2 ECD levels during treatment were associated with longer median PFS in metastatic breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-09-09.

CHK2 kinase promotes pre-mRNA splicing via phosphorylating CDK11(p110)

Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2) kinase is a key mediator in many cellular responses to genotoxic stresses, including ionizing radiation (IR) and topoisomerase inhibitors. Upon IR, CHK2 is activated by ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase and regulates the S-phase and G1-S checkpoints, apoptosis and DNA repair by phosphorylating downstream target proteins, such as p53 and Brca1. In addition, CHK2 is thought to be a multi-organ cancer susceptibility gene. In this study, we used a tandem affinity purification strategy to identify proteins that interact with CHK2 kinase. Cyclin-dependent kinase 11 (CDK11)(p110) kinase, implicated in pre-mRNA splicing and transcription, was identified as a CHK2-interacting protein. CHK2 kinase phosphorylated CDK11(p110) on serine 737 in vitro. Unexpectedly, CHK2 kinase constitutively phosphorylated CDK11(p110) in a DNA damage-independent manner. At a molecular level, CDK11(p110) phosphorylation was required for homodimerization without affecting its kinase activity. Overexpression of CHK2 promoted pre-mRNA splicing. Conversely, CHK2 depletion decreased endogenous splicing activity. Mutation of the phosphorylation site in CDK11(p110) to alanine abrogated its splicing-activating activity. These results provide the first evidence that CHK2 kinase promotes pre-mRNA splicing via phosphorylating CDK11(p110).

Microbial diversity in the oral cavity of healthy Chinese Han children

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the oral microbial diversity of healthy Chinese Han children.

METHODS

Dental plaques were sampled from the oral cavity of ten healthy Chinese Han children. The oral microbiome was examined using the 16S rRNA-based Human Oral Microbe Identification Microarray. The microbial diversity and similarity were analyzed using the Chao-Jaccard similarity index.

RESULTS

A total of 112 species, which belonged to nine bacterial phyla and 41 genera, were detected. Each individual harbored an average of 54.1 microbial species (ranging from 37 to 69) and 26.2 genera (ranging from 21 to 31), with interindividual variations both at the species and genus level. Thirteen genera were conserved among all individuals. The Chao-Jaccard similarity index averages, at the genus and species level, were 0.642 (ranging from 0.485 to 0.871) and 0.506 (ranging from 0.338 to 0.676), respectively, suggesting that the healthy oral community was more conserved at the genus level than at the species level.

CONCLUSION

Although there was interindividual variation in the oral microflora, some bacterial genera were conserved among individuals, supporting the existence of a core microbiome in the oral cavity of healthy Chinese Han children.

[A randomized clinical trial of preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery in the treatment of stage III non-small cell lung cancer]

BACKGROUND

To explore the feasibility and toxicity of preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery in the treatment of stage III NSCLC and to evaluate its effects on tumor response, resection rate, tumor downstaging, and survival rate.

METHODS

From Jan. 1990 to Jan. 2001, 624 patients were randomly devided into group A ( preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy group) and group B ( control group, without neoadjuvant chemotherapy) . Group A had 314 patients and group B had 310 cases. The patients in group A were give 2 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and operations were performed in 4 weeks after finishing the last chemotherapy. Twenty-one patients were given bronchial artery intervensional chemotherapy. The other 293 cases were given intravenous chemotherapy. The regimens included MVP in 68 cases, CAP in 36 cases, EP in 67 cases, VIP in 20 cases, Gem+ DDP in 30 cases, NVB+ DDP in 32 cases, Taxol+ NVB in 30 cases, and Taxol+ DDP in 10 cases. The patients in group B were firstly operated. Thoracic radiation therapy of 50-55 Gy was g iven in the patients with N1 and N2 disease both in group A and group B.

RESULTS

The tumor response to induction chemotherapy was 73. 57%( 231/ 314) in group A. The tumor downstaging was 43. 63%( 137/ 314) . The histological complete response was 15. 92%( 50/ 314) . The resection rate was 97. 69% in group A, and 91. 94% in group B. No significant differences of blood loss, operative complications and mortality were observed between the group A and group B. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 89. 35%, 67. 46% , 34. 39% and 29. 34% in group A, and 87. 53%, 51. 54%, 24. 19% and 21. 64% in group B respectively. The long-term survival rate in group A was remarkably higher than that in group B ( P < 0. 01) .

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that the preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy is safe and effective. It is helpful to decrease the tumor staging , to increase the resection rate of the tumor, and to improve the long-term survival rate and life qualities of patients with stage III NSCLC.