[Long-term outcome of patients with rectal cancer who achieve complete or near complete clinical responses after neoadjuvant therapy: a multicenter registry study of data from the Chinese Watch and Wait Database]

Objective: To report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after adopting a Watch and Wait (W&W) strategy following neoadjuvant therapy (NAT). Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study was based on real-world data. The study cohort comprised rectal cancer patients who had achieved complete or near complete clinical responses (cCRs, near-cCRs) after NAT and were thereafter managed by a W&W approach, as well as a few patients who had achieved good responses after NAT and had then undergone local excision for confirmation of pathological complete response. All participants had been followed up for ≥2 years. Patients with distant metastases at baseline or who opted for observation while living with the tumor were excluded. Data of eligible patients were retrospectively collected from the Chinese Wait-and-Watch Data Collaboration Group database. These included baseline characteristics, type of NAT, pre-treatment imaging results, evaluation of post-NAT efficacy, salvage measures, and treatment outcomes. We herein report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after NAT and W&W and the differences between the cCR and near-cCR groups. Results: Clinical data of 318 rectal cancer patients who had undergone W&W for over 2 years and been followed up were collected from eight medical centers (Peking University Cancer Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, the First Hospital of Jilin University, and Yunnan Cancer Hospital.) The participants comprised 221 men (69.4%) and 107 women (30.6%) of median age 60 (26-86) years. The median distance between tumor and anal verge was 3.4 (0-10.4) cm. Of these patients, 291 and 27 had achieved cCR or near-cCR, respectively, after NAT. The median duration of follow-up was 48.4 (10.2-110.3) months. The 5-year cumulative overall survival rate was 92.4% (95%CI: 86.8%-95.7%), 5-year cumulative disease-specific survival (CSS) rate 96.6% (95%CI: 92.2%-98.5%), 5-year cumulative organ-preserving disease-free survival rate 86.6% (95%CI: 81.0%-90.7%), and 5-year organ preservation rate 85.3% (95%CI: 80.3%-89.1%). The overall 5-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 18.5% (95%CI: 14.9%-20.8%) and 8.2% (95%CI: 5.4%-12.5%), respectively. Most local recurrences (82.1%, 46/56) occurred within 2 years, and 91.0% (51/56) occurred within 3 years, the median time to recurrence being 11.7 (2.5-66.6) months. Most (91.1%, 51/56) local recurrences occurred within the intestinal lumen. Distant metastases developed in 23 patients; 60.9% (14/23) occurred within 2 years and 73.9% (17/23) within 3 years, the median time to distant metastasis being 21.9 (2.6-90.3) months. Common sites included lung (15/23, 65.2%), liver (6/23, 26.1%), and bone (7/23, 30.4%) The metastases involved single organs in 17 patients and multiple organs in six. There were no significant differences in overall, cumulative disease-specific, or organ-preserving disease-free survival or rate of metastases between the two groups (all P>0.05). The 5-year local recurrence rate was higher in the near-cCR than in the cCR group (41.6% vs. 16.4%, P<0.01), with a lower organ preservation rate (69.2% vs. 88.0%, P<0.001). The success rates of salvage after local recurrence and distant metastasis were 82.1% (46/56) and 13.0% (3/23), respectively. Conclusion: Rectal cancer patients who achieve cCR or near-cCR after NAT and undergo W&W have favorable oncological outcomes and a high rate of organ preservation. Local recurrence and distant metastasis during W&W follow certain patterns, with a relatively high salvage rate for local recurrence. Our findings highlight the importance of close follow-up and timely intervention during the W&W process.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Perioperative Immunochemotherapeutic Strategies for Resectable Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: a Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

AIMS

The aim of this network meta-analysis was to elucidate the efficacy and safety of various immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) used in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from randomised controlled trials comparing perioperative ICI-chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone were acquired from the EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library databases, PubMed, and meeting abstracts from inception until August 2023. The endpoints for this analysis were pathological complete response, event-free survival and treatment-related adverse events of any grade or adverse events of grade 3 or higher.

RESULTS

In total, six randomised controlled trials with 2538 NSCLC patients were selected for this network meta-analysis. Compared with other ICIs, toripalimab + chemotherapy demonstrated increased pathological complete response rates and prolonged event-free survival in NSCLC. In patients with negative/low PD-L1 expression or squamous cell pathology, toripalimab + chemotherapy was the most effective regimen. In contrast, nivolumab + chemotherapy was preferable for patients with high PD-L1 expression or non-squamous cell pathology. Among the analysed regimens, toripalimab + chemotherapy presented the highest risk of adverse events of any grade, whereas nivolumab + chemotherapy showed the highest risk of grade 3-4 adverse events. Conversely, durvalumab + chemotherapy exhibited the lowest risk of grade 3-4 adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the evaluated perioperative immunochemotherapy regimens, toripalimab + chemotherapy indicated a significantly increased survival benefit for most resectable NSCLC patients. However, for high PD-L1 expression and non-squamous NSCLC patients, nivolumab + chemotherapy provided the most potent outcomes. Perioperative durvalumab + chemotherapy is a relatively safe treatment. The findings of this investigation are expected to assist clinicians in making informed decisions among promising treatment options.

Quercetin protects against hyperglycemia-induced retinopathy in Sprague Dawley rats by regulating the gut-retina axis and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 pathway

Hyperglycemia-related retinopathy is a disease with a high blindness rate. Recent reports indicate that many flavonol compounds have the potential to prevent the occurrence of disease in the retina by regulating the gut-retina axis. Here, we hypothesized that quercetin could alleviate the symptoms of retinopathy. To clarify the mechanism, Sprague Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet containing quercetin for 12 weeks and injected with streptozotocin in the ninth week. Additionally, neomycin and ampicillin were used to establish a pseudo-sterile rat model. Afterward, changes in the retina were investigated by using electroretinogram and optical coherence tomography. Blood and tissue samples were collected and biochemical components were analyzed. The extent of intestinal injury was determined via hematoxylin-eosin staining. Microbial community structure was analyzed by using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Finally, the expression of genes was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that quercetin reduced the decline in electroretinography amplitude and outer nuclear layer thickness, increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, decreased the contents of proinflammatory factors and blood glucose, enhanced the concentration of insulin, and inhibited intestinal dysbiosis and improved gut morphology. Importantly, the underexpression of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 in the retina was reversed by quercetin. However, trend changes were no longer significant in most of the indicators after antibiotic treatment. In summary, quercetin has therapeutic effects on retinopathy by regulating the gut-retina axis and nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 pathway, and the presence of gut microbiota helps quercetin exert its effects on the retina.

Magnesium lithospermate B enhances the potential of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes for myocardial repair

BACKGROUND

We previously reported that activation of the cell cycle in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) enhances their remuscularization capacity after human cardiac muscle patch transplantation in infarcted mouse hearts. Herein, we sought to identify the effect of magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) on hiPSC-CMs during myocardial repair using a myocardial infarction (MI) mouse model.

METHODS

In C57BL/6 mice, MI was surgically induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10 per group); a MI group (treated with phosphate-buffered saline only), a hiPSC-CMs group, a MLB group, a hiPSC-CMs + MLB group, and a Sham operation group. Cardiac function and MLB therapeutic efficacy were evaluated by echocardiography and histochemical staining 4 weeks after surgery. To identify the associated mechanism, nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) signals, cell adhesion ability, generation of reactive oxygen species, and rates of apoptosis were detected in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and hiPSC-CMs.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks of transplantation, the number of cells that engrafted in the hiPSC-CMs + MLB group was about five times higher than those in the hiPSC-CMs group. Additionally, MLB treatment significantly reduced tohoku hospital pediatrics-1 (THP-1) cell adhesion, ICAM1 expression, NF-κB nuclear translocation, reactive oxygen species production, NF-κB p65 phosphorylation, and cell apoptosis in HUVECs cultured under hypoxia. Similarly, treatment with MLB significantly inhibited the apoptosis of hiPSC-CMs via enhancing signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2) expression, promoting STAT3 nuclear translocation, and downregulating BCL2-Associated X, dual specificity phosphatase 2 (DUSP2), and cleaved-caspase-3 expression under hypoxia. Furthermore, MLB significantly suppressed the production of malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase and the reduction in glutathione content induced by hypoxia in both HUVECs and hiPSC-CMs in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

MLB significantly enhanced the potential of hiPSC-CMs in repairing injured myocardium by improving endothelial cell function via the NF-κB/ICAM1 pathway and inhibiting hiPSC-CMs apoptosis via the DUSP2/STAT3 pathway.

[Spatial distribution characteristics of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province in 2020]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody, and to examine the correlation between the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province in 2020, so as to provide insights into advanced schistosomiais control in the province.

METHODS

The epidemiological data of schistosomiasis in Hunan Province in 2020 were collected, including number of permanent residents in survey villages, number of advanced schistosomiasis patients, number of residents receiving serological tests and number of residents seropositive for anti-Schistosoma antibody, and the prevalence advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody were descriptively analyzed. Village-based spatial distribution characteristics of prevalence advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody were identified in Hunan Province in 2020, and the correlation between the revalence advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody was examined using Spearman correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis was 0 to 2.72% and the seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody was 0 to 20.25% in 1 153 schistosomiasis-endemic villages in Hunan Province in 2020. Spatial clusters were identified in both the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis (global Moran's I = 0.416, P < 0.01) and the seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody (global Moran's I = 0.711, P < 0.01) in Hunan Province. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis identified 98 schistosomiasis-endemic villages with high-high clusters of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis, 134 endemic villages with high-high clusters of the seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody and 36 endemic villages with high-high clusters of both the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province. In addition, spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody (rs = 0.235, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There were spatial clusters of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province in 2020, which were predominantly located in areas neighboring the Dongting Lake. These clusters should be given a high priority in the schistosomiasis control programs.

[Study on clearance of chlorfenapyr via blood purification (a case analysis)]

This paper analyzed the clinical data of a patient with acute oral emamectin·chlorfenapyr poisoning, and discussed the effect of blood purification therapy on chlorfenapyr poisoning. Chlorfenapyr was detected in the blood, urine, ultrafiltrate and plasma exchange fluid of the patient, and the concentrations of chlorfenapyr poison gradually decreased with time. Blood purification has a certain effect on chlorfenapyr, and early blood purification may be an effective measure to treat chlorfenapyr poisoning.

A Comparison of Clinicopathologic Outcomes and Patterns of Lymphatic Spread across Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy, Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy and Neoadjuvant Immunochemotherapy in Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To evaluate the differences in pathologic complete response (pCR) rates, TRG score, pathologic T stage and the pattern of lymphatic spread among patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) or neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT) prior to esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

MATERIALS/METHODS

A total of 702 patients with ESCC who completed transthoracic esophagectomy followed neoadjuvant therapy at three cancer centers from January 2017 to December 2022 were enrolled. Among the included patients, 382 patients were treated with NCR, 172 with NCRT, and 148 with NICT. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was performed to control potential confounding factors. Pathological response of primary tumor was evaluated using the Chirieac modified tumor regression grade (TRG) system. The complete regression of primary lesion and nodal metastases were considered pCR. Lymph node classification system used the 8th edition of AJCC. Specimens were assessed for pattern of lymphatic spread.

RESULTS

After adjusting for baseline characteristics, the R0 resection rate did not significantly differ between the patients receiving NCT or NCRT or NICT (99.48% vs.100% vs.98.65%, P = 0.273). Compared with the NCT group, the NCRT group and NICT group had an advantage in pathological response (P<0.05). The pCR rate was 7.07% in the NCT group, 30.23% in the NCRT group, and 22.30% in the NICT group. Compared to the other two groups, the TRG score (P<0.05) and pathologic T stage (P<0.05) in the NCT group were significantly higher. In the NCT group, 9.97% had ypT0 disease, compared with 35.76% in the NCRT group and 25.68% in the NICT group. And in the NCT group, 9.71% had TRG1 disease, compared with 32.76% in the NCRT group and 25% in the NICT group. Compared with NICT, NCRT can significantly reduce the rate of LNM in station 1R (0 vs 3.38%, P<0.05) and 2R (1.15% vs 6.76%, P<0.05). Subgroup analysis according to the tumor location distribution showed that in upper thoracic cases, there was no statistical difference in LNM rates among stations no matter whether patients received NCT or NCRT or NICT. NICT group had higher LNM rates in station 2R (9.1%) in middle thoracic cases (P<0.05) and in station 18 (7.5%) (P<0.05) in lower thoracic cases, compared with the NCRT group and NCT group.

CONCLUSION

NCRT or NICT followed by surgery may result in a promising pCR rate and show a better performance in therapeutic response of primary lesion. No matter whether patients received NCT or NCRT or NICT, multiple level and skip node metastases are common, and adequate lymphadenectomy should be achieved to ensure the complete removal of metastatic lymph nodes.

Grade 4 Lymphopenia Might Associate with Pericardial Irradiation Dose and Worse Prognosis in Patients with Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer Receiving Concurrent Chemo-Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The immune system may influence prognosis, and lymphopenia is a frequent side effect of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT). Radical irradiation for locally advanced esophageal cancer (LA-EC) exposes significant vascular and heart volumes, and we hypothesized that lymphopenia is linked to cardiac and pericardial doses and affects patient prognosis.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We identified 190 LA-EC patients who received radical CCRT between 2011 and 2019. Cardiac, pericardial, and lung dosimetric parameters were obtained and multivariate analysis (MVA) was performed to correlate clinical factors and dosimetric parameters with overall survival (OS). Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), absolute platelet count (PLT), absolute white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR = ANC/ALC), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR = PLT/ALC) were collected before and during CRT. Grade 4 (G4) lymphopenia was defined as Lymphocyte count nadir <0.2 103/mL during CRT and it was used to dichotomize the lymphocyte count nadir. MVA was performed to correlate hematologic toxicity with OS. Logistic stepwise regression was performed to determine the relationship between dosimetric parameters and G4 lymphopenia. Finally, a nomogram of G4 lymphopenia was developed and validated externally.

RESULTS

Median follow-up time for all patients was 27.5 months (range 12-118 months). On MVA for OS (n = 190), higher pericardial V30 (PV30) was linked to worse survival (HR = 1.013, 95% CI 1.001-1.026, p = 0.039). The median OS stratified by PV30>55.3% and PV30≤55.3% was 24 months and 54 months, respectively (p = 0.004). G4 lymphopenia was shown to be linked with worse OS in the MVA of hematological toxicity (n = 161) with OS (HR = 2.042, 95% CI 1.335-3.126, p = 0.001). 24 (24%) of the 100 patients in the training set had G4 lymphopenia. Our final model comprised Stage-IVA (p = 0.017), PLR during CRT (p = 0.008), Heart V50 (p = 0.046), and PV30 (p = 0.048). External validation 26 of 90 patients (29%) had grade 4 lymphocytopenia. The ROC curve displays an AUC for internal validation of 0.775 and external validation of 0.843.

CONCLUSION

Higher doses of pericardial radiation might affect LA-EC patients' prognosis by inducing G4 lymphopenia in CCRT process. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings, especially in the era of immune-checkpoint inhibitor treatment.

Hybrid Immuno-RT for Bulky Tumors: Standard Fractionation with Partial Tumor SBRT

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Bulky tumors remain challenging to be treated. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is effective against radioresistant tumor cells and can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) that leads to T-cell-mediated antitumor effects. Low-dose radiation (LDRT) can inflame the tumor microenvironment (TME) by recruiting T cells. We designed a novel radiotherapy technique (RT, ERT) whose dose distribution map resembles the "eclipse" by concurrently delivering LDRT to the whole tumor, meanwhile SBRT to only a part of the same tumor. This study examined the safety and efficacy of ERT to bulky lesions with PD-1 inhibitors in mice and patients.

MATERIALS/METHODS

In mice with CT26 colon or LLC1 lung bulky tumors (400 - 500 cm3), the whole tumor was irradiated by LDRT (2 Gy x 3), meanwhile the tumor center was irradiated by SBRT (10 Gy x 3); αPD-1 was given weekly. The dependence of therapeutic effects on CD8+ T cells was determined using depleting antibodies. Frequencies of CD8+ T cells and M1 macrophages (Mφ) were determined by flow cytometry. Multiplex Immunohistochemistry (mIHC) was applied to analyze the number and the location of CD8+ T cells and their subpopulations, as well as the phospho-eIF2α level (the ICD marker) of tumor cells in TME. Patients with advanced lung or liver bulky tumors who failed standard treatment or with oncologic emergencies were treated. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to estimate patients' progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

ERT/αPD-1 is superior to SBRT/αPD-1 or LDRT/αPD-1 in controlling bulky tumors in both mouse models in a CD8+ T-cell dependent manner. In the CT26 model, ERT/αPD-1 resulted in complete tumor regression in 3/11 mice and induced more CD8+ T cells and M1 Mφ in TME compared to other groups. mIHC analysis showed that ERT/αPD-1 induced higher bulk, stem-like (TCF1+ TIM3- PD-1+), and more differentiated (TCF1- TIM3+ PD-1+) CD8+ T cells infiltration into the tumor center and periphery compared to other groups. Compared to untreated or LDRT-treated tumor centers, tumor centers irradiated with ERT or SBRT showed elevated phospho-eIF2α accompanied by higher dendritic cell infiltration. In total, 39 advanced cancer patients were treated with ERT/αPD-1 or plus chemotherapy. Radiation-induced pneumonitis occurred in 1 of 26 patients receiving thoracic ERT. There were two cases of grade III toxicity associated with PD-1 inhibitors. No toxicity above grade III was observed. The objective response rate was 38.5%. The median PFS was 5.6 months and median OS was not reached at a median follow-up of 11.7 months.

CONCLUSION

ERT/αPD-1 showed superior efficacy in controlling bulky tumor in two mouse models. The hybrid immuno-RT (ERT) combing PD-1 inhibitors was safe and effective in patients with bulky tumors. Further clinical trials in combination with bioimaging to identify the optimal SBRT target region for the bulky tumor are warranted.

[Optimization of the medium and fermentation condition for the Penicillium aurantiocandidum Z12 strain with molluscicidal actions against Oncomelania hupensis]

OBJECTIVE

To optimize the culture and fermentation conditions of the Penicillium aurantiocandidum Z12 strain, a fungal strain with molluscicidal actions against Oncomelania hupensis, so as to provide the basis for the research and development of molluscicidal active substances from the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain and its fermentation broth and large-scale fermentation.

METHODS

The carbon source, nitrogen source and mineral salts were identified in the optimal culture medium for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain with a single-factor experiment to determine the best fermentation condition for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain. Factors that significantly affected the growth of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain were identified using the Plackett-Burman design, and the best range of each factor was determined using the steepest climb test. Response surface analyses of temperature, pH value, seeding amount and liquid-filling quantity were performed using the Box-Behnken design to create a regression model for fermentation of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain to identify the optimal culture medium.

RESULTS

Single-factor experiment preliminarily identified the best culture medium and conditions for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain as follows: sucrose as the carbon source at approximately 20 g/L, tryptone as the nitrogen source at approximately 5 g/L, K₂HPO₄ as the mineral salt at approximately 5 g/L, initial pH at approximately 8, temperature at approximately 28 °C, seeding amount at approximately 6%, and liquid-filling quantity at approximately 50 mL/100 mL. Plackett-Burman design showed that factors that significantly affected the growth of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain included temperature (t = -5.28, P < 0.05), seeding amount (t = 5.22, P < 0.05), pH (t = -4.30, P < 0.05) and liquid-filling quantity (t = -4.39, P < 0.05). Steepest climb test showed the highest mycelial growth at pH of 7.5, seeding amount of 8%, and liquid-filling quantity of 40 mL/100 mL, and this condition was selected as the central point of response surface analysis for the subsequent optimization of fermentation conditions. Response surface analyses using the Box-Behnken design showed that the optimal conditions for fermentation of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain included sucrose at 15 g/L, tryptone at 5 g/L, K₂HPO₄ at 5 g/L, temperature at 28.2 °C, pH at 7.5, seeding amount at 10%, and liquid-filling quantity at 35.8 mL/100.0 mL, resulting in 0.132 g yield of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal culture condition for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain has been identified, and the optimized culture medium and fermentation condition may effectively improve the fermentation yield of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain.

High prevalence of vertebral deformity in tumor-induced osteomalacia associated with impaired bone microstructure

PURPOSE

Patients with tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) often suffer from irreversible height loss due to vertebral deformity. However, the prevalence of vertebral deformity in TIO patients varies among limited studies. In addition, the distribution and type of vertebral deformity, as well as its risk factors, remain unknown. This study aimed to identify the prevalence, distribution, type and risk factors for vertebral deformity in a large cohort of TIO patients.

METHODS

A total of 164 TIO patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. Deformity in vertebrae T4-L4 by lateral thoracolumbar spine radiographs was evaluated according to the semiquantitative method of Genant. Bone microstructure was evaluated by trabecular bone score (TBS) and high-resolution peripheral QCT (HR-pQCT).

RESULTS

Ninety-nine (99/164, 60.4%) patients had 517 deformed vertebrae with a bimodal pattern of distribution (T7-9 and T11-L1), and biconcave deformity was the most common type (267/517, 51.6%). Compared with patients without vertebral deformity, those with vertebral deformity had a higher male/female ratio, longer disease duration, more height loss, lower serum phosphate, higher bone turnover markers, lower TBS, lower areal bone mineral density (aBMD), lower peripheral volumetric BMD (vBMD) and worse microstructure. Lower trabecular vBMD and worse trabecular microstructure in the peripheral bone and lower spine TBS were associated with an increased risk of vertebral deformity independently of aBMD. After adjusting for the number of deformed vertebrae, we found little difference in clinical indexes among the patients with different types of vertebral deformity. However, we found significant correlations of clinical indexes with the number of deformed vertebrae and the spinal deformity index.

CONCLUSION

We reported a high prevalence of vertebral deformity in the largest cohort of TIO patients and described the vertebral deformity in detail for the first time. Risk factors for vertebral deformity included male sex, long disease duration, height loss, abnormal biochemical indexes and bone impairment. Clinical manifestation, biochemical indexes and bone impairment were correlated with the number of deformed vertebrae and degree of deformity, but not the type of deformity.

Activation cross sections for reactions induced by 14 MeV neutrons on natural titanium

Cross sections for the neutrons around 14 MeV interaction with natural titanium were precisely measured by neutron activation and off-line measurement technique. The fast neutrons were produced by ³H(d,n)⁴He reaction and the neutron energy was obtained by using the cross section ratio method of ⁹⁰Zr(n,2n)⁸⁹Zr to ⁹³Nb(n,2n)^92mNb reactions. Experimental cross sections have been acquired for ^natTi(n,x)⁴⁶Sc, ^natTi(n,x)⁴⁷Sc, ⁵⁰Ti(n,x)⁴⁷Ca and ⁴⁸Ti(n,x)⁴⁸Sc reactions. The measured cross section data are compared with the experimental data available in the previous literature and evaluated nuclear data from the ENDF/B-VIII.0, JEFF-3.3, JENDL-5, BROND-3.1, CENDL-3.2 and FENDL-3.2b libraries. Furthermore, excitation functions for these reactions were calculated by using the theoretical model based on Talys-1.96 code with default and adjusted parameters. Within experimental error, evaluated nuclear data are mostly consistent with experimental data. The excitation function with adjusted parameters can roughly reproduce the experimental data.

Identification of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network and its role in cardiac hypertrophy

BACKGROUND

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a grave hazard to human health. Circular RNA (circRNAs) and micro RNA (miRNAs), which are competitive endogenous RNA, have been shown to play a critical role inHCM pathogenicity. However, to a great extent, the biological activities of ceRNA in HCM pathophysiology and prognosis remain to be investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By analyzing the expression files in the Gene Expression Comprehensive (GEO) database, differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in HCM were identified, and the target molecules of circRNAs and miRNAs were predicted. The intersection of the differentially expressed RNA molecules and the expected target was then calculated, and a ceRNA network was subsequently constructed using RNA molecules. Using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses, the potential etiology was elucidated. qPCR was used to validate a portion of the hub gene using Angiotensin II to generate a cell hypertrophy model.

RESULTS

Three large-scale HCM sample datasets were extracted from the GEO database. After crossing these molecules with their expected targets, the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network had two DEcircRNAs, two DEmiRNAs, and thirty DEmRNAs, compared to normal tissues. Functional enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG demonstrated that many of the HCM pathways and mechanisms were associated with calcium channel release, which is also the primary focus of future research. The qPCR results revealed that circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA expression levels were different. They may include novel noninvasive indicators for the early screening and prognostic prediction of HCM.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we hypothesized a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulation network that is closely related to the progression and clinical outcomes of HCM and may contain promising biomarkers and treatment targets for HCM.

Successful biventricular repair in a 14-year-old patient of asplenia with congenital heart disease syndrome

Heterotaxy syndrome is a rare disease, and asplenia with congenital heart disease syndrome, also known as Ivemark syndrome, is a special form of heterotaxy syndrome. These patients usually have severe cardiovascular malformations and a poor prognosis. Their surgical outcomes are rarely satisfactory. We report the case of a 14-year-old patient who underwent successful corrective surgery treatment.

A large-scale functional high-throughput screening identifies miR-515 and miR-519e as potent inducers of human iPSC-cardiomyocyte proliferation

Introduction

Ischemic heart failure persists as a global health problem despite optimized medical and adjunctive device therapies. Loss of cardiomyocytes in the absence of a proliferative response comprise a major contributor to pathological remodeling and death in this patient population. Experimental studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) may be used as a therapeutic option to reinduce adult cardiomyocyte proliferation.

Purpose

This study thought to evaluate proliferative potential in human cardiomyocytes after overexpression and inhibition of 2019 miRNAs.

Methods

To identify miRNAs that regulate cardiomyocyte proliferation, we performed functional high-throughput screenings in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) after transient hypoxia. Herein, 2019 miRNA-mimics for overexpression and 2019 anti-miRs for inhibition were individually transfected to examine EdU-incorporation in hiPSC-CM. MiR-mimic-515 and miR-mimic-519e that induced the highest EdU-uptake, were further assessed by immunostaining and molecular methods for markers indicative of early and late mitosis. In addition, RNA-Sequencing in hiPSC-CM after overexpression of miR-515 and miR-519e was performed to examine differential gene expression and miRNA-modulated pathways involved in cardiomyocyte proliferation.

Results

Using a functional high-throughput screening, we assessed differential proliferative potential of 2019 miRNAs after transient hypoxia by transfecting both miR-inhibitor and miR-mimic libraries in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM). Overexpression of 28 miRNAs substantially induced proliferative activity in hiPSC-CM, with an overrepresentation of miRNAs belonging to the C19MC-cluster and adjacent miR-371–373 family. Two of these miRNAs, miR-515 and miR-519e increased markers of early and late mitosis, with an additive cardiomyocyte turnover after transient hypoxia and substantially increased Aurora B-kinase activity in midbodies, indicative of cell division. These findings were supported by molecular studies using qRT-PCR, Western blot, and RNA-Sequencing after overexpression of miR-515 and miR-519e showing substantial alterations of signaling pathways relevant for cardiomyocytes proliferation in human iPSC-CM.

Conclusion

Collectively, these results support a critical role of miR-515 and miR-519e for induction of proliferation in human cardiomyocytes under hypoxic conditions, such as present in patients with ischemia-driven cardiomyopathy.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Deutsche Stiftung für Herzforschung (DSHF) and OPO Foundation.

The effect of a chrysanthemum water extract in protecting the retina of mice from light damage

Background

Oxidative stress can induce age-related diseases. Age-related retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are difficult to cure owing to their complicated mechanisms. Although anti-neovascular therapeutics are used to treat wet AMD, vision cannot always be completely restored, and disease progression cannot always be inhibited. Therefore, determining a method to prevent or slow retinal damage is important. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of a chrysanthemum water extract rich in flavone on the oxidatively stressed retina of mice.

Methods

Light damage was induced to establish oxidative stress mouse models. For in vitro experiments, ARPE-19 cells were cultured and divided into four groups: control, light-damaged, and low- and high-dose chrysanthemum extract. No treatment was administered in the control group. The light-damaged and low- and high-dose chrysanthemum extract groups were exposed to a similar white light level. The chrysanthemum extract was added at a low dose of 0.4 mg/mL or a high dose of 1.0 mg/mL before cell exposure to 2500-lx white light. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and cellular viability were measured using MTT and immunofluorescence staining. For in vivo experiments, C57BL/6 J mice were divided into the same four groups. Low- (0.23 g/kg/day) and high-dose (0.38 g/kg/day) chrysanthemum extracts were continuously intragastrically administered for 8 weeks before mouse exposure to 10,000-lx white light. Retinal function was evaluated using electroretinography. In vivo optical coherence tomography and in vitro haematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to observe the pathological retinal changes in each group after light damage. Fluorescein fundus angiography of the arteriovenous vessel was performed, and the findings were analysed using the AngioTool software. TUNEL immunofluorescence staining was used to assess isolated retinal apoptosis.

Results

In vitro, increased ROS production and decreased ARPE-19 cell viability were found in the light-damaged group. Improved ARPE-19 cell viability and reduced ROS levels were observed in the chrysanthemum extract treatment groups. In vivo, dysfunctional retinas and abnormal retinal structures were found in the light-damaged group, as well as increased apoptosis in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and inner and outer nuclear layers. The apoptosis rate in the same layers was lower in the chrysanthemum extract treatment groups than in the light-damaged group. The production of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), increased in the treatment groups. NF-κB in the nucleus and TNF-α were more highly expressed in the light-damaged group than in the low- and high-dose chrysanthemum extract groups.

Conclusions

Light damage-induced retinal oxidative stress can lead to ROS accumulation in the retinal tissues. Herein, RGC and photoreceptor layer apoptosis was triggered, and NF-κB in the nucleus and TNF-α were highly expressed in the light-damaged group. Preventive chrysanthemum extract administration decreased ROS production by increasing SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities and reversing the negative changes, demonstrating a potential protective effect on the retina.

Advanced ultrawide-field optical coherence tomography angiography identifies previously undetectable changes in biomechanics-related parameters in nonpathological myopic fundus

Purpose: To detect previously undetectable changes in vessel density and structural thickness, the two biomechanics-related parameters reflecting hemodynamics and tensile strength, respectively, in the peripheral and central fundi of nonpathological myopic eyes with an advanced ultrawide-field optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) system.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational clinical study was carried out by recruiting 155 eyes from 79 college students aged 18–28 years. The eyes were stratified into normal, low-myopia, medium-myopia, and high-myopia groups according to diopter. A newly developed OCTA system with scanning dimensions of 24 mm × 20 mm, acquisition speed of 400 kHz, and imaging range of 6 mm was used to examine the vessel densities of superficial vascular complex (SVC), deep vascular complex (DVC), choriocapillary (ChC), and choroidal vessel (ChV) layers, as well as the thicknesses of the inner retina, outer retina, and choroid in the nonpathological myopic eyes.

Results: The vessel densities in ChV at the temporal, inferotemporal, inferior, and inferonasal regions in the fundus periphery were significantly reduced in myopic subjects as compared to normal controls (all p < 0.05). The thicknesses of the inner retinal segments in most peripheral regions of the fundus became attenuated along with myopia severity (all p < 0.05). The thicknesses of the outer retinal segments were diminished at the superior and supranasal regions of the peripheral fundi of myopic subjects as compared to normal controls (all p < 0.05). At the central macular region, the decreased vessel densities of SVC and DVC were correlated with the attenuated thicknesses of inner retinal segments, respectively (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion: As revealed for the first time by the advanced ultrawide-field OCTA system, the two biomechanics-related parameters that include the densities of the choroidal vessels and thicknesses of the inner retina segments were significantly reduced in the periphery of nonpathological myopic fundi and the reductions were associated with myopia severity. At the central macular region, the newly developed device provides consistent results with the previous findings. Therefore, it is important to use the noninvasive, ultrawide-field OCTA with high resolution for early detection of fundus changes in subjects with nonpathological high myopia.

Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier ChiCTR2100054093.

MKI67 as a potential diagnostic biomarker in pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND

Right heart failure results from advanced pulmonary hypertension (PH) and has a poor prognosis. There are few available treatments for right heart failure. Pulmonary artery remodeling, including changes in pulmonary artery endothelial cells to endothelial-mesenchymal cells, and aberrant fibroblast and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation, are characteristics of the pathophysiological process of PH. As a result, the clinical situation requires novel PH diagnostic and treatment targets.

METHODS

Monocrotaline was used to create an animal model of PH, and lung tissue was removed for transcriptome sequencing. The targets with the highest differences were chosen for transfection after possible targets were identified using bioinformatic techniques and confirmed by qPCR to examine their function in hypoxic PASMCs.

RESULTS

After sequencing 781 differentially expressed mRNAs, we compared them with the GEO dataset and found 43 differentially expressed genes. We chose the top three scores for further study and verification and discovered that MKI67, a crucial element of the cell cycle that regulates PASMC proliferation, had the greatest effect. After suppressing MKI67 in PASMCs, both cell proliferation and migration decreased.

CONCLUSION

Several potential targets were chosen for this study, and MKI67 was found to play a regulatory role in cell migration and proliferation. This implies that PH can be diagnosed and treated using MKI67.

Association of metabolic syndrome with cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension is still controversial. This meta-analysis sought to evaluate the association of MetS with cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive patients.

METHODS

Two authors comprehensively searched PubMed and Embase databases from their inception to April 18, 2020 for the longitudinal studies that evaluated the association of MetS with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with hypertension. The main outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke, hospitalization due to heart failure, etc.) and stroke.

RESULTS

Eight studies consisting of 36,614 hypertensive patients were identified and analyzed. Meta-analysis indicated that MetS was associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (risk ratio [RR] 1.55; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.28-1.87), cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.44; 95%CI 1.13-1.82), and stroke (RR 1.46; 95%CI 1.22-1.75), respectively. Sensitivity analysis further confirmed the robustness of the prognostic value of MetS.

CONCLUSIONS

MetS is associated with higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality, and stroke in patients with hypertension. Determination of MetS may contribute to improving cardiovascular risk stratification in hypertension.

OIP5-AS1: A fascinating long noncoding RNA in carcinoma

BACKGROUND

It is substantiated that LncRNAs are associated with carcinoma progression. OIP5-AS1 is a tumor-related carcinoma suppressor lncRNA, previously discovered in zebrafish, which is involved in the progression of a variety of cancers, has a regulatory effect on carcinoma, and interacts with miRNA and other biomolecules to affect the physiological and pathological processes of carcinoma cells. This article will discuss the effect of OIP5-AS1 in various cancers and its regulatory mechanism.

METHODS

This paper summarized and analyzed OIP5-AS1, which functions on the germination and progression of carcinoma and its regulatory mechanism. Meanwhile, the related research was retrieved and collected by PubMed system. Result：OIP5-AS1 is overexpressed in various tumors, which regulates and controls tumor growth and participates in tumor progression, including breast carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, lung carcinoma, and laryngeal squamous cell gastric carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma. The research evidence proves that OIP5-AS1 takes part in carcinoma proliferation, growth, migration, invasion, and apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

OIP5-AS1 probably can be an effective biomarker or a potential therapeutic target in multiple tumors.

[Vigilance against a highly lethal insecticide chlorfenapyr poisoning (report of 4 cases and literature review)]

In order to improve the clinical attention to the poisoning of chlorfenapyr, the diagnosis and treatment strategy of chlorfenapyr poisoning were discussed. This paper collected 4 cases of chlorfenapyr in the emergency department of the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University and 4 cases of literature review, summarized the clinical characteristics of pesticide poisoning cases containing chlorfenapyr in China, and summarized and analyzed the clinical data of the cases. Seven of the 8 patients died from poisoning by chlorfenapyr. Exposure to chlorfenapyr through respiratory tract and digestive tract showed high mortality. Fever, hyperhidrosis, elevated muscle enzymes and progressive central nerve damage were its prominent clinical characteristics. Most of the initial symptoms of exposure were not serious. Some patients, especially those with low exposure dose, had a relatively stable stage with or without clinical diagnosis and treatment. In case of sweating, obvious fever and disturbance of consciousness, the condition would deteriorate rapidly, respiratory and circulatory failure and eventually die. With the increase of production capacity and market launch, people have more opportunities to be exposed to chlorfenapyr. It is urgent to strengthen the basic and clinical research of chlorfenapyr poisoning; Attention should be paid to the observation and treatment in the initial stable stage of poisoning, which can be used as a reference for the treatment of oxidative phosphoric acid dissolving coupling agent (sodium pentachlorophenol) poisoning.

[The relationship between elevated antiphospholipid antibodies and thrombosis in hospitalized patients]

Objective: Assess the relationship between elevated antiphospholipid antibodies and thrombosis in hospitalized patients. Methods: Case control study. A total of 385 patients (149 males and 236 females, aged from 1 to 105 years, with a median age of 37 years) who were hospitalized in Peking University First Hospital from January 2015 to December 2019 and tested positive for any one of the anti-phospholipid antibodies were included in the study. All subjects were divided into thrombotic group and non-thrombotic group according to whether thrombus was detected by imaging examination during hospitalization. In thrombosis group, there were 66 males and 36 females, aged from 3 to 105 years, with a median age of 58 years. In non-thrombosis group, there were 83 males and 200 females, aged from 1 to 94 years, with a median age of 31 years. Clinical data and laboratory data of patients were recorded. ACL-IgM/IgG and anti-β2GPI-IgM/IgG were detected by ELISA and LA was detected by dRVVT and SCT on automatic coagulation analyzer. The rates of age, gender, smoking, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and the median level of antiphospholipid antibodies were compared between two groups. Logistic multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for thrombotic events. The mid-to-high titer value of aCL was established by the χ²-trend test and verified by logistic regression. Results: The median age (58 years) and the rates of male (64.7%), smoking (16.7%), hypertension (63.7%) and diabetes (28.4%) in thrombus group were significantly higher than those in non-thrombus group (Z=7.685, χ²=38.077, 16.312, 37.769, 24.749 respectively; P<0.01). The positive rate of anti-β2GPI-IgG and dRVVT in thrombosis group (11.8% and 78.4%) was significantly higher than that in non-thrombosis group (5.3% and 60.1%), as well as the median level of dRVVT (1.29 RU/ml vs 1.23 RU/ml) (χ²=3.864 and 10.309, Z=3.539; P<0.05). The median level of aCL-IgM was higher in non-thrombosis group (2.3 MPL vs 2.0 MPL). The positive rate of aCL-IgG was slightly higher in thrombosis group (18.6% vs 10.6%). Logistic regression analysis showed that men, hypertension, diabetes, advanced age, elevated dRVVT, and elevated anti-β2GPI-IgG are risk factors for thrombosis. Taking 36 GPL as the medium-to-high titer value of aCL-IgG, the risk of thrombosis increased by 2.45 times. Conclusions: In the anti-phospholipid antibody profile, LA detected by dRVVT method, anti-β2GPI-IgG and aCL-IgG may be valuable laboratory indicators for inpatient thrombotic events. The mid-to-high titer value of aCL-IgG is set at 36 GPL to distinguish the risk of thrombosis.

[Analysis of risk factors for delayed bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric epithelial neoplasm]

Objective: To determine the potential risk factors of delayed hemorrhage after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients with early gastric carcinomas or precancerous lesions. Methods: The clinical data of 637 patients with early gastric carcinomas (EGC) who treated with ESD in Department of Endoscopy at Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from August 2013 to August 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic analysis were conducted to evaluate the risk factors associated with delayed bleeding. Results: A total of 699 lesions in 637 patients, of which 696 lesions were resected enbloc, the curative resection rate was 92.1% (644/699). The pathological diagnosis after ESD showed that 46 cases were low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 71 were high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and 582 were cancer. Delayed bleeding occurred in 74 lesions, while other 625 lesions without postoperative bleeding. The incidence was 10.6%. Compared with the non-bleeding group, there were statistically significant differences in the maximum length of the lesion, the gross shape of the lesion, the control of intra operative bleeding, and the operation time in the delayed bleeding group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the maximum length of the lesion and the gross shape of the lesion were independent factors of delayed bleeding after ESD. Delayed bleeding was inclined to occur in patients with lesion size ≥3.0 cm (OR=1.958, 95% CI: 1.162-3.299) and the superficial and flat lesion (OR=10.598, 95% CI: 1.313-85.532) after ESD. Conclusions: The maximum length of the lesion and the gross shape of the lesion are independent impact factors of delayed bleeding occurring in patients with EGC and precancerous lesions after ESD. Patients with lesion size≥3 cm, or superficial flat lesion should be paid attention after ESD operation. It needs to take timely measures to prevent the very likely bleeding in order to ensure postoperative recovery and improve the quality of life for postoperative patients.

IL-7 and CCL19-secreting CAR-T cell therapy for tumors with positive glypican-3 or mesothelin

Although chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells have shown great success in the treatment of B cell malignancies, this strategy has limited efficacy in patients with solid tumors. In mouse CAR-T cells, IL-7 and CCL19 expression have been demonstrated to improve T cell infiltration and CAR-T cell survival in mouse tumors. Therefore, in the current study, we engineered human CAR-T cells to secrete human IL-7 and CCL19 (7 × 19) and found that these 7 × 19 CAR-T cells showed enhanced capacities of expansion and migration in vitro. Furthermore, 7 × 19 CAR-T cells showed superior tumor suppression ability compared to conventional CAR-T cells in xenografts of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, primary HCC tissue samples and pancreatic carcinoma (PC) cell lines. We then initiated a phase 1 clinical trial in advanced HCC/PC/ovarian carcinoma (OC) patients with glypican-3 (GPC3) or mesothelin (MSLN) expression. In a patient with advanced HCC, anti-GPC3-7 × 19 CAR-T treatment resulted in complete tumor disappearance 30 days post intratumor injection. In a patient with advanced PC, anti-MSLN-7 × 19 CAR-T treatment resulted in almost complete tumor disappearance 240 days post-intravenous infusion. Our results demonstrated that the incorporation of 7 × 19 into CAR-T cells significantly enhanced the antitumor activity against human solid tumor. Trial registration: NCT03198546. Registered 26 June 2017, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03198546?term=NCT03198546&draw=2&rank=1.

PARP inhibitor niraparib as a radiosensitizer promotes antitumor immunity of radiotherapy in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Poly-(ADP-Ribose)-Polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) were reported as radiosensitizers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with wide-type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), but the effects of radiation combined with PARPi were not investigated in EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms were not well examined. This study aimed to study the efficacy of radiation combined with niraparib in EGFR-mutated NSCLC and explore their influence on the immune system.

METHODS

Clone formation and apoptosis assay were conducted to explore the effects of niraparib and radiation. Immunofluorescence was conducted to detect the double-strand DNA breaks. Real-time PCR and immunoblotting were employed to evaluate the activation of STING/TBK1/TRF3 pathway and the expression levels of interferon β, CCL5 and CXCL10. Immunocompetent mice model bearing with subcutaneous Lewis lung cancer was established to confirm the results in vivo.

RESULTS

Niraparib and radiation were synergistic to inhibit tumor both in vitro and in vivo. Radiation plus niraparib could activate anti-tumor immunity, which appeared as increased CD8⁺ T lymphocytes and activated STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway.

CONCLUSION

PARPi not only as a radiosensitizer inhibited EGFR-mutated NSCLC tumor growth, but also cooperated with radiation to promote anti-tumor immune responses.

Impact of the combined timing of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and chemotherapy on the outcomes in patients with refractory lung cancer

Background

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy are widely used in clinical practice. However, the ideal combined timing of them has not been fully explored.

Methods

In this study, simulation experiments to explore the impacts of the combination of anti-PD-1 antibody (anti-PD-1 Ab) on the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were performed. In addition, the effects of the combined timing of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and chemotherapy on efficacy and safety were retrospectively analysed in patients with refractory lung cancer.

Results

Experiments in vitro showed that administering the anti-PD-1 Ab 3 days after chemotherapy (represented by dicycloplatin) resulted in significantly weaker cytotoxic effects on lymphocytes, compared with administering the anti-PD-1 Ab before or concurrent with chemotherapy. Moreover, data from 64 lung cancer patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy as a second- or higher-line therapy were retrospectively analysed. The results showed that administering PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors 1-10 days (especially 3-5 days) after chemotherapy was associated with longer overall survival [17.3 months versus 12.7 months; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-1.19, P = 0.137 in univariate analysis; HR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.16-0.80, P = 0.012 in multivariate analysis] and a trend of improved progression-free survival (5.1 months versus 4.2 months; HR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.42-1.54, P = 0.512) compared with administering PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors before or concurrent with chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that administering PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors 1-10 days (especially 3-5 days) after chemotherapy is superior to administering PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors before or concurrent with chemotherapy in patients with refractory lung cancer, but this result needs to be further explored by prospective studies.

•

The cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs were positively correlated with the activation states of PBMCs.

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Administering the anti-PD-1 Ab 3 days after chemotherapy resulted in weaker cytotoxic effects on lymphocytes in vitro.

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Administering PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors a few days after chemotherapy resulted in better survival in lung cancer patients.

[The evaluation value of transient elastography for liver characteristics in obese children]

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of transient elastography (FibroTouch) in obese children and to investigate the liver characteristics of obese children based on FibroTouch. Methods: Children (5-18 years of age) from the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center were examined by FibroTouch. The fat attenuation parameter (FAP) was used to assess liver fat deposition, and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was used to assess liver fibrosis. The children were divided into obesity group (n=67) and non-obesity group (n=139). The FAP, LSM, and their influencing factors were analysed in the obese group. Results: The total effective rate of FibroTouch in non-sedated children aged 5-18 years (n=229) was 97.8%. The FAP value 259.4 (235.9-275.5) dB/m in obese children was significantly higher than that in the control group 178.1 (168.7-195.6) dB/m, (Z=-10.586, P<0.001). The LSM value in obese children 5.9 (4.5-7.5) kPa was significantly higher than that in non-obese children 3.2 (2.3-4.1) kPa, (Z=-8.832, P<0.001). The proportion of liver fibrosis in obese group was 30%, and that of nonalcoholic fatty liver was 65.7%. Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI percentile (≥ 95%) was an independent factor for significant liver fibrosis (OR=1.267, 95%CI: 1.056-1.519, P=0.011) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (OR=1.248, 95%CI: 1.007-1.546, P=0.043). Conclusions: FibroTouch can be successfully applied to obese children. Fibrotouch can accurately evaluate the liver fibrosis and fat attenuation parameters in obese children. Obese children have higher FAP and LSM, which increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver and liver fibrosis.

Effects of high-fat diet and Apoe deficiency on retinal structure and function in mice

To investigate the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) deficiency on retinal structure and function in mice. Apoe KO mice and wild-type C57BL/6J mice were given a low-fat diet (LFD) or a HFD for 32 weeks. Blood glucose, serum lipids, body weight and visceral fat weight were evaluated. Retinal sterol quantification was carried out by isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The cholesterol metabolism related genes SCAP-SREBP expressions were detected by qRT-PCR. Retinal function was recorded using an electroretinogram. The thickness of each layer of the retina was measured by optical coherence tomography. Fundus fluorescein angiography was performed to detect retinal vasculature changes. Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the expression of NF-κB, TNF-α and VEGFR2 in the retina among HFD, HFD Apoe^-/-, LFD Apoe^-/- and WT mice retinas. HFD feeding caused the mice to gain weight and develop hypercholesterinemia, while Apoe^-/- abnormalities also affected blood lipid metabolism. Both HFD and Apoe deficiency elevated retinal cholesterol, especially in the HFD Apoe^-/- mice. No up-regulated expression of SCAP-SREBP was observed as a negative regulator. Impaired retinal functions, thinning retinas and abnormal retinal vasculature were observed in the peripheral retinas of the HFD and Apoe^-/- mice compared with those in the normal chow group, particularly in the HFD Apoe^-/- mice. Moreover, the expression of NF-κB in the retinas of the HFD and Apoe^-/- mice was increased, together with upregulated TNF-α mRNA levels and TNF-α expression in the layer of retinal ganglion cells of the peripheral retina. At the same time, the expression level of VEGFR2 was elevated in the intervention groups, most notably in HFD Apoe^-/- mice. HFD or Apoe gene deletion had certain adverse effects on retinal function and structure, which were far below the combined factors and induced harm to the retina. Furthermore, HFD caused retinal ischemia and hypoxia. Additionally, Apoe abnormality increased susceptibility to ischemia. These changes upregulated NF-κB expression in ganglion cells and activated downstream TNF-α. Simultaneously, they activated VEGFR2, accelerating angiogenesis and vascular permeability. All of the aforementioned outcomes initiated inflammatory responses to trigger ganglion cell apoptosis and aggravate retinal neovascularization.