BackgroundThe association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and gastric cancer (GC) risk is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the chemopreventive effect of NSAIDs for GC.MethodsA literature search was performed for relevant studies using the PubMed and Embase database (up to March 2016). Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as the effect measures. The dose–response analysis and subgroup analysis were also performed.ResultsTwenty-four studies were included. Our results indicated that NSAIDs could reduce GC risk (any NSAIDs: RR=0.78, 96%CI=0.72-0.85; aspirin: RR=0.70, 95%CI=0.62-0.80; non-aspirin NSAIDs: RR=0.86, 95%CI=0.80-0.94), especially for non-cardia GC risk. Moreover, the dose-response analysis indicated the risk of GC decreased by 11% and 5% for 2 years increment of any NSAIDs and aspirin use, respectively. There were nonlinear relationships between the frequency of any NSAIDs use and aspirin use and GC risk (P for non-linearity<0.01), with a threshold effect of 5 times/week. A monotonically decreasing trend was observed only for the frequency of less than 5 times/week.ConclusionsOur results indicate that NSAIDs is inversely associated with GC risk, especially for non-cardia GC risk. NSAIDs use may become a feasible approach to prevent GC.

Background. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinicopathological and prognostic values of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods. The PubMed and Embase databases and the references of relevant studies were systematically searched. This study was performed with hazard ratios (HRs) and odd ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as effect measures. Results. Our results indicated that elevated PLR was associated with poor overall survival (HR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.23–1.73), disease-free survival (HR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.17–2.30), cancer-specific survival (HR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.12–1.51), and recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.09–1.74) in CRC. For the clinicopathological characteristics, our results indicated that there were differences in the rate of elevated PLR between stages III/IV and I/II groups (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.01–1.88), pT3/T4 and pT1/T2 groups (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.03–3.20), and poor differentiation and moderate/well differentiation (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.38–4.84). Conclusions. Our results indicated that elevated PLR predicted poor prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics in CRC and PLR is a convenient and low-cost blood-derived prognostic marker for CRC.

BackgroundTo compare the clinical outcomes between the use of a distal clavicular locking plate alone and the combined use of a plate and a coracoclavicular suture anchor in the treatment of Neer IIb distal clavicle fractures and to discuss the application procedure of suture anchors.MethodsThis is a retrospective study. Thirty-four patients with unilateral Neer IIb distal clavicle fractures who underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a distal clavicular locking plate only (16 patients) or with both a plate and a coracoclavicular suture anchor (18 patients) were evaluated. The main observation data included the Constant-Murley Shoulder Function Score (CMS), rate of postoperative complications, and union time.ResultsThe distal clavicular locking plate and coracoclavicular suture anchor combination group had better outcomes in the Constant-Murley score (94.6 ± 4.5 vs. 90.1 ± 9.5) (P < 0.05) and a shorter union time (13.9 ± 2.3 vs. 16.1 ± 3.0) (P < 0.05) than the locking plate only group did, and the rate of complications showed no significant difference, 16.7% vs. 31.2% (5/16) (P>0.05).ConclusionsBoth methods achieved good results in the treatment of Neer IIb distal clavicle fractures; however, the use of both locking plates and coracoclavicular suture anchors can provide more stability in the early stage after operation than can the use of locking plates alone, which can make the sped of union quicker and result in better clinical outcomes. For elderly patients with comminuted Neer IIb distal clavicle fractures, a locking plate combined with a suture anchor is recommended to provide more stability in the early stage after the operation.

BackgroundThe associations between vitamin D status, including plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and vitamin D intake, and pancreatic cancer risk and mortality are inconsistent. The aims of this study are to evaluate the antitumor and therapeutic effects of vitamin D status for pancreatic cancer patients.MethodsA literature search for relevant studies was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases. Risk ratio (RR), hazard ratio (HR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as the effect measures. All statistical analyses were performed using Stata software 12.0.ResultsOur results indicated that high plasma 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with pancreatic cancer mortality without significant heterogeneity (HR=0.81, 95% CI=0.68–0.96). However, high plasma 25(OH)D levels could not reduce pancreatic cancer risk (RR=1.02, 95% CI=0.66–1.57). Moreover, vitamin D intake was also not associated with pancreatic cancer risk (RR=1.11, 95% CI=0.67–1.86)ConclusionsOur results indicate that high plasma 25(OH)D levels were significantly associated with improved survival in pancreatic cancer patients. However, there were no significant associations between vitamin D intake or plasma 25(OH)D levels and pancreatic cancer risk.

Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is the most common adverse effect of capecitabine-containing chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacies of various prevention and treatment strategies for capecitabine-induced HFS. Searches of the PubMed and Embase databases were performed to identify relevant studies. The risk ratio (RR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as an effect measure to evaluate the efficacies of these prevention and treatment strategies. Publication bias was evaluated using Begg's and Egger's tests. Overall and subgroup analyses were conducted. All statistical analyses were conducted with Stata software version 12.0. Seventeen eligible studies were included. Our results indicated that celecoxib was significantly associated with a lower incidence of grade ≥2 capecitabine-induced HFS without heterogeneity (RR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.23-0.81, I = 0.0%). However, pyridoxine and topical urea/lactic acid were not effective toward preventing capecitabine-induced grade 1, 2, 3, ≥1 or ≥2 HFS. Moreover, pyridoxine was not effective in treating capecitabine-induced HFS. Similar results were obtained by subgroup analysis. Our results indicate that celecoxib has potential prophylactic efficacy for capecitabine-induced HFS. However, pyridoxine and topical urea/lactic acid are not associated with a decrease in the incidence of capecitabine-induced HFS.

BackgroundThere are no consistent agreements on whether radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) could provide local control and survival benefit for older patients with early breast cancer or breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy after BCS in older patients with early breast cancer or DCIS.ResultsRadiotherapy could reduce the risk of local relapse in older patients with early breast cancer. The 5-year AR of local relapse was 2.2% and 6.2% for radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy group, respectively, with low 5-year ARD of 4.0% and high NNT of 25. The 10-year AR of local relapse was 5.3% and 10.5% for radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy group, respectively, with the 10-year ARD of 5.2% and NNT of 20. However, radiotherapy could not improve survival benefits, including overall survival, cancer-specific survival, breast-cancer-specific survival, and distant relapse. Moreover, radiotherapy could reduce the risk of ipsilateral breast events in older patients with DCIS.Materials and MethodsPubMed and Embase database were searched for relevant studies. Hazard ratios (HRs), risk ratios (RRs), absolute risk (AR), absolute risk difference (ARD), and number needed to treat (NNT) were used as effect measures to evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy in older patients.ConclusionsOur study indicates that radiotherapy could slightly reduce the risk of local relapse in older patients with favorable early breast cancer. However, radiotherapy cannot translate into significant survival benefits.

The paper introduced the application of laser tracker in the 3D alignment and installation of accelerator. USMN(Unified Spatial Metrology Network) in the SA(SpatialAnalyzer, a software) was used to solve 3D control-survey network in l00m scale, the tracker with SA can measure data and check results for fiducialization, guide the magnets installation and best-fit smoothing orbit. SA made the data stream consistent and reliable, and final the accuracy of 0.15mm transverse over 10m distance. this method also can be used in the installation of great science facility.

In this work, we have developed a series of amorphous alloy ribbons of Fe75Co4B13Y4Nb4-xNix(x=0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4) which were prepared by industrial purity alloy. Besides, the effects of Ni substitution and isothermal annealing on the saturation magnetization (Ms) and intrinsic coercive force (jHc) were systematically investigated. The SQUID-VSM data pointed out the Mshas been increased by Ni content addition with largest enhanced by 57 % from 114 emu/g to 180 emu/g. After quickly annealing at the optimal temperature, the Msreached 199 emu/g and jHcdecreased from 50 Oe to 33 Oe. DSC measurements displayed that this system has a multi-step crystallization in the heating process. Under the premise of maintaining the excellent amorphous forming ability (AFA), the gap between the two crystallization peaks was broadened with Ni addition, which is good to the forming of α-Fe phase at the annealing treatment. And this was also consistent with the X-ray diffractometer (XRD) results. The Scherrer formula calculated results suggested that isothermal annealing has significant effect on size of α-Fe nanocrystals in annealing process, which obvious affect the Msand jHc. The annealing temperature and time can not only affect the precipitation of nano-crystalline, but also control the grain size. Hence, an appropriate annealing process is very important to improve the properties of these iron-based nanocrystalline magnetic materials. In conclusion, the results will help us to understand the influence of Ni elements and isothermal annealing on the microstructure and magnetic of Fe75Co4B13Y4Nb4-xNixamorphous alloys.