Self-pulsing and dual-mode lasing in a square microcavity semiconductor laser.

Self-pulsing and dual-mode lasing in a square microcavity semiconductor laser are studied experimentally. Self-sustained pulses originating from undamped relaxation oscillation induced by a two-mode interaction are obtained, as the injection current is slightly above the laser threshold. A repetition frequency of 4.4 GHz and a pulse width of 30-40 ps are obtained at a current of 8 mA. The laser switches to continuous-wave operation when the injection current is higher than a certain value, and dual-mode lasing with 30.7 GHz at 16 mA and 10.7 GHz at 27 mA are observed in the lasing spectra. Furthermore, the relative intensity noise spectra are presented to reveal the relationship between the lasing states and the dynamics induced by relaxation oscillation and mode beating.

Chaotic microlasers caused by internal mode interaction for random number generation.

Chaotic semiconductor lasers have been widely investigated for generating unpredictable random numbers, especially for lasers with external optical feedback. Nevertheless, chaotic lasers under external feedback are hindered by external feedback loop time, which causes correlation peaks for chaotic output. Here, we demonstrate the first self-chaotic microlaser based on internal mode interaction for a dual-mode microcavity laser, and realize random number generation using the self-chaotic laser output. By adjusting mode frequency interval close to the intrinsic relaxation oscillation frequency, nonlinear dynamics including self-chaos and period-oscillations are predicted and realized numerically and experimentally due to internal mode interaction. The internal mode interaction and corresponding carrier spatial oscillations pave the way of mode engineering for nonlinear dynamics in a solitary laser. Our findings provide a novel and easy method to create controllable and robust optical chaos for high-speed random number generation.

Wideband chaotic tri-mode microlasers with optical feedback.

A tri-mode micro-square laser under optical feedback is proposed and demonstrated to generate chaos with the broadband flat microwave spectrum. By adjusting lasing mode intensities, frequency intervals, and optical feedback strength, we can enhance the chaotic bandwidth significantly. The existence of two mode-beating peaks makes the flat bandwidth much larger than the relaxation oscillation frequency. Effective bandwidth of 35.3 GHz is experimentally achieved with the flatness of 8.3 dB from the chaotic output spectrum of the tri-mode mode laser under optical feedback.

Manipulation of lasing modes in a circular-side octagonal microcavity laser with a spatially distributed current injection.

We propose and demonstrate a circular-side octagonal microcavity (COM) semiconductor laser with a spatially distributed current injection for manipulating the lasing modes. There are two types of high-quality-factor whispering-gallery (WG) modes with distinct field patterns in a COM: the four-bounced quadrilateral modes and the eight-bounced octagonal modes. By designing two separated p-electrodes, the COM laser is divided into two regions that are pumped independently to select specific modes for lasing. The two types of WG modes lase simultaneously when the two regions are injected with equivalent currents. Degeneracy removal of the quadrilateral modes is observed in both simulation and experiment when the two regions are injected with inequivalent currents. The quadrilateral modes are suppressed when one of the two regions is un-injected or biased with a negative current, and single-octagonal-mode lasing is realized. The results show that the lasing modes can be efficiently manipulated with the spatially distributed current injection considering the distinct field patterns of different WG modes in the microcavities, which can promote the practical application of the microcavity lasers.

Numerical simulation of all-optical logic gates based on hybrid-cavity semiconductor lasers.

All-optical switch and multiple logic gates have been demonstrated using a hybrid-cavity semiconductor laser composed of a square microcavity and a Fabry-Perot cavity experimentally. In this paper, two-section tri-mode rate equations with optical injection terms are proposed and applied to study all-optical logic gates of NOT, NOR, and NAND operations utilizing the hybrid-cavity laser. Steady-state and dynamical characteristics of all-optical multiple logic gates are simulated, taking into account the influence of mode frequency detuning, gain suppression coefficients, mode Q factor, injection energy, and biasing current. All-optical logic NOT, NOR, and NAND gates up to 20, 15, and 20 Gbit/s are obtained numerically with dynamic extinction ratios of over 20, 20, and 10 dB, respectively, which are potential response speeds of the all-optical logic gates based on the hybrid-cavity semiconductor lasers.

Comparison of single- and dual-mode lasing states of a hybrid-cavity laser under optical feedback.

In this Letter, we design and realize a hybrid-cavity laser with single- or dual-mode lasing states and study the nonlinear states of the laser under external optical feedback (EOF). The laser at a dual-mode state easily and directly enters the chaotic state without periodic oscillation states and display chaos for a much wider range of the EOF magnitude than the laser at a single-mode state. A flat chaotic signal is obtained for the laser at a dual-mode lasing state under a weak EOF benefitting from the low-frequency energy enhancement caused by mode competition between the dual modes.

Construction of an immune-related LncRNA signature with prognostic significance for bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is one of the most common urological cancer with increasing cases and deaths every year. In the present study, we aim to construct an immune-related prognostic lncRNA signature (IRPLS) in bladder cancer (BLCA) patients and explore its immunogenomic implications in pan-cancers. First, the immune-related differentially expressed lncRNAs (IRDELs) were identified by 'limma' R package and the score of IRPLS in every patient were evaluated by Cox regression. The dysregulation of IRDELs expression between cancer and para-cancer normal tissues was validated through RT-qPCR. Then, we further explore the biological functions of a novel lncRNA from IRPLS, RP11-89 in BLCA using CCK8 assay, Transwell assay and Apoptosis analysis, which indicated that RP11-89 was able to promote cell proliferation and invasive capacity while inhibits cell apoptosis in BLCA. In addition, we performed bioinformatic methods and RIP to investigate and validate the RP11-89/miR-27a-3p/PPARγ pathway in order to explore the mechanism. Next, CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithm were used to evaluate abundance of tumour-infiltrating immune cells and scores of tumour environment elements in BLCA with different level of IRPLS risk scores. Finally, multiple bioinformatic methods were performed to show us the immune landscape of these four lncRNAs for pan-cancers. In conclusion, this study first constructed an immune-related prognostic lncRNA signature, which consists of RP11-89, PSORS1C3, LINC02672 and MIR100HG and might shed lights on novel targets for individualized immunotherapy for BLCA patients.

Mode control through anti-Hermitian coupling in regular-polygonal microcavities with non-uniform gain and loss.

We theoretically and numerically study optical modes in regular-polygonal microcavities with non-uniform gain and loss, where high quality (Q) whispering-gallery-like modes typically appear as superscar states. High Q superscar modes can be described by the propagating plane waves in an effective rectangle formed by unfolding the periodic orbits and exhibit regular and predictable spatial field distributions and transverse-mode spectra. With non-uniform gain and loss, anti-Hermitian coupling between the transverse modes with close frequencies occurs according to the mode coupling theory, which results in novel mode properties such as modified mode spectra and field patterns, and the appearance of exceptional points. Numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the theoretical analyses, and such analyses are also suitable for other kinds of high Q microcavities with non-uniform gain and loss. These results will be highly useful for studying non-Hermitian physics in optical microcavities and advancing the practical applications of microcavity devices.

Identification and validation of novel metastasis-related signatures of clear cell renal cell carcinoma using gene expression databases.

Patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) typically face aggressive disease progression when metastasis occurs. Here, we screened and identified differentially expressed genes in three microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. We identified 112 differentially expressed genes with functional enrichment as candidate prognostic biomarkers. Lasso Cox regression suggested 10 significant oncogenic hub genes involved in earlier recurrence and poor prognosis of ccRCC. Receiver operating characteristic curves validated the specificity and sensitivity of the Cox regression penalty used to predict prognosis. The area under the curve indexes of the integrated genes scores were 0.758 and 0.772 for overall and disease-free survival, respectively. The prognostic values of ADAMTS9, C1S, DPYSL3, H2AFX, MINA, PLOD2, RUNX1, SLC19A1, TPX2, and TRIB3 were validated through an analysis of 10 hub genes in 380 patients with ccRCC from a real-world cohort. The expression levels of were of high prognostic value for predicting metastatic potential. These findings will likely significantly contribute to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of ccRCC, which will enhance efforts to optimize therapy.

Extended versus non-extended lymphadenectomy during radical cystectomy for patients with bladder cancer: a meta-analysis of the effect on long-term and short-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) is an integral part of curative surgery for high-risk non-muscle invasive and muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The therapeutic value of extended PLND is controversial. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive online search in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases for relevant literature directly comparing extended PLND (e-PLND) with non-extended PLND (ne-PLND) from database inception to June 2019. We performed the meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of PLND templates on recurrence-free survival (RFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), overall survival (OS), rates of postoperative major complications, and mortality within 90 days of surgery. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies involving 3979 patients undergoing either e-PLND or ne-PLND were included. The results showed that e-PLND was significantly associated with better RFS (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.90, p = 0.002) and DSS (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.55-0.79, p < 0.001). However, no correlation was found between e-PLND template and a better OS (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.55-1.58, p = 0.79). Postoperative major complications were similar between e-PLND group and ne-PLND group, as was mortality within 90 days of surgery. CONCLUSION: e-PLND template is correlated with favorable RFS and DSS outcomes for patients with bladder cancer. e-PLND did not have more postoperative major complications than did ne-PLND.

Tumor growth velocity: A modified tumor growth rate defining tumor progression during sorafenib treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of tumor growth velocity in defining tumor progression in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients treated with the vascular endothelial growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, sorafenib. METHODS: A modified calculation for tumor growth velocity was introduced to evaluate the tumor growth velocity, before and after sorafenib withdrawal. Known prognostic factors together with tumor growth velocity before drug withdrawal and tumor growth velocity after drug withdrawal were compared using a χ2 -test from a contingency table, and partial likelihood test from a Cox regression model for overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients who reached progressive disease and withdrew from sorafenib were enrolled after a median follow-up period of 107.8 months. Tumor growth velocity before drug withdrawal was 7.347 ± 4.040, and tumor growth velocity after drug withdrawal was 11.647 ± 5.937 (P < 0.001). Higher tumor growth velocity before drug withdrawal was correlated with a higher risk Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center score (P = 0.022), Karnofsky Performance Status <80 (P = 0.028), non-clear cell carcinoma (P = 0.037), higher tumor nucleus grade (P < 0.001) and best treatment response (P < 0.001). Patients with tumor growth velocity before drug withdrawal >5.0 had shorter overall survival (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, factors associated with overall survival were high/intermediate Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center risk score (hazard ratio 2.119, P = 0.006), non-clear histological subtype (hazard ratio 1.900, P = 0.031), tumor growth velocity before drug withdrawal ≥5.0 (hazard ratio 2.758, P < 0.001) and progressive disease as best response (hazard ratio 2.069, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Significantly faster tumor growth can be observed if sorafenib is discontinued in the case of disease progression. Thus, we suggest not to withdraw targeted agents until tumor growth velocity is >5.0.

Nephrometry score-guided off-clamp laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: patient selection and short-time functional results.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) is not a novel but a relatively technically challenging surgical procedure. Off-clamp LPN with zero ischemia can completely eliminate ischemic reperfusion injury to the kidney. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and functional outcome of nephrometry score-guided off-clamp technique in LPN. METHODS: A total of 44 patients underwent LPN between January 2015 and July 2015 for renal mass with radius, exophytic/endophytic, nearness to sinus, anterior/posterior location (RENAL) score 4 were enrolled. Twenty-two of them underwent off-clamp LPN with zero ischemia, and the other 22 received standard LPN with common renal artery clamp. Estimate blood loss (EBL), total operation time, resection time, renorrhaphy time, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), postoperative eGFR, eGFR change, and drainage after surgery were compared between these two groups using t test. RESULTS: Patients' characteristics including gender, age, BMI, tumor size, and RENAL score were balanced between the two groups. Average EBL was more in the off-clamp group than in the on-clamp group (134.32 versus 70.23 ml, p = 0.001). Average eGFR change was less in the off-clamp group than in the on-clamp group (-1.56 versus -6.45, p < 0.001). Average drainage after surgery was 203.41 ml for the off-clamp group and 145.46 ml for the on-clamp group, p = 0.062. No urinary leakage and hematuria occurred in both groups. There were no statistical difference in total operation time, resection time, renorrhaphy time, preoperative eGFR, and postoperative eGFR between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Off-clamp LPN is a safe and feasible approach to excise certain kidney tumors with RENAL score 4. This technique can better preserve kidney function without ischemic reperfusion injury.

Clinicopathological and prognostic factors for long-term survival in Chinese patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sorafenib: a single-center retrospective study.

Data on long-term survival and prognostic significance of demographic factors and adverse events (AEs) associated with sorafenib, an orally administered multikinase inhibitor in Chinese population with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are limited. Outcome data from adult patients (n = 256) with advanced RCC who received sorafenib (400 mg twice daily) either as first-line or second-line therapy between April 2006 and May 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The primary endpoint was median overall survival (OS), determined to be 22.2 (95% CI: 17.1-27.4) months, and the secondary endpoint was overall median progression-free survival (PFS), determined to be 13.6 (95% CI: 10.7-16.4) months at a median follow-up time of 61.8 (95% CI: 16.2-97.4) months. Analysis of the incidence of AEs revealed the most common side effect as hand-foot skin reactions (60.5%) followed by diarrhea (38.7%), fatigue (35.5%), alopecia (34.0%), rash (24.6%), hypertension (21.5%) and gingival hemorrhage (21.1%). Multivariate regression analysis revealed older age (≥ 58 years), lower Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center score, time from nephrectomy to sorafenib treatment, number of metastatic tumors and best response as significant and independent demographic predictors for improved PFS and/or OS (p ≤ 0.05). Alopecia was identified as a significant and independent predictor of increased OS, whereas vomiting and weight loss were identified as significant predictors of decreased OS (p ≤ 0.05). Sorafenib significantly improved OS and PFS in Chinese patients with advanced RCC. Considering the identified significant prognostic demographic factors along with the advocated prognostic manageable AEs while identifying treatment strategy may help clinicians select the best treatment modality and better predict survival in these patients.

Association of glutathione S-transferase T1 and M1 polymorphisms with prostate cancer susceptibility in populations of Asian descent: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Genetic polymorphism was hypothesized to be reason of variation in prostate cancer incidence among different racial group. Based on that published data on the association of prostate cancer susceptibility with polymorphisms in genes encoding Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) were inconclusive, the aim of this study was to more precisely address the role of GSTs polymorphisms (especially, GSTT1 and GSTM1 deletions) on prostate cancer risk in Asian descent. METHODS: A meta-analysis including 8 articles with 711 cases and 1122 controls for GSTT1 and 1098 cases and 1588 controls for GSTM1 was performed. RESULTS: Significantly increased prostate cancer risk was found among subjects carrying GSTM1 null genotype (odds ratio (OR) = 1.403; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.088 - 1.808) but not among subjects carrying GSTT1 deletion genotype (OR = 0.959; 95%CI = 0.709 - 1.297). When stratified by country, the null genotype of GSTT1 neither increased nor decreased prostate cancer risk significantly in China (OR = 1.355; 95%CI = 0.895 - 2.049), Japan (OR = 0.812; 95%CI = 0.545 - 1.211), and Korea (OR = 1.056; 95%CI = 0.727 - 1.534). While significant association of elevated prostate cancer risk with GSTM1 deletion were found in China (OR = 1.665; 95%CI = 1.324 - .094) and Korea (OR = 1.914; 95%CI = 1.311 - 2.793) but not in Japan (OR = 0.980; 95%CI = 0.726 - 1.321). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this meta-analysis suggested that the null genotype of GSTM1 rather than GSTT1 may be involved in the etiology of prostate cancer in Asian population.

Evaluation of fine particles in surgical smoke from an urologist's operating room by time and by distance.

INTRODUCTION: Electrocautery, harmonic scalpel tissue dissection and other surgical techniques can generate surgical smoke with high proportion of 'fine particles' (PM(2.5)) <2.5 µm, which is known to have adverse effects on human health. The high-risk zone for PM(2.5) during surgeries by time and by distance has not been well evaluated. METHODS: The study included open superficial, open abdominal, open pelvic, laparoscopic and transurethral urology surgeries, five of each. A particle counter was placed at three different distances from the incision site, and the real-time PM(2.5) concentration was displayed after each cut. Air Quality Index (AQI) revised by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the calculated inhalation dose were used to evaluate the severity of PM(2.5). RESULTS: In superficial, abdominal and pelvic surgeries, the peak PM(2.5) concentration may reach 245.7, 149.4 and 165.1 µg/m(3) 3-6 s after a single cut 40 cm from the incision site. By the time, AQI usually turns to 'unhealthy' or 'very unhealthy.' In laparoscopic surgeries, 40 cm from the trocar, the air quality reached 'hazardous' in 3 s after opening of the trocar valve with a peak concentration of 517.5 µg/m(3). In transurethral surgeries, the AQI 40 cm away from the resectoscope is generally at moderate level. In each surgery, the chief surgeon may inhale most of the PM(2.5), while the assistant will inhale less than half the dose, and the scrub nurse may inhale nearly none. The use of wall suction may induce a 48-65 % decrease in fine particle inhalation. CONCLUSIONS: During surgeries, the concentration of PM(2.5) could reach a very unhealthy status, especially for the chief surgeon who is the nearest to the incision site. Surgical smoke evacuation in the first few seconds of a cut is essential; however, using smoke evacuators such as a wall suction alone may not be enough.

Development of a preliminary nomogram to predict progression of bone scan for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

The optimal time to perform bone scan to detect new metastasis during the castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) stage remains undefined. This study attempted to identify predictors of progression of bone scan for CRPC, and use such information to develop a nomogram to predict the optimal time of examinations for bone scan. The analysis included 167 CRPC patients. Progression of bone lesion, as evaluated by bone scan, occurred in 64 (38.3%) cases. A logistic regression identified the following three risk factors: short time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression, severe pain, and short PSA doubling time (PSADT) (P<0.05 for all). A nomogram model was constructed to predict progression of bone scan using time to PSA progression and severe pain as dichotomized variables and PSADT as a continuous variable. The result indicated that a predictive nomogram model showed a bootstrap-corrected concordance index of 0.762 and good calibration using the three readily available variables, and there were worse prognosis and higher progression rate of bone scan for patients with time to PSA progression <6.6 months, severe pain, and short PSADT (<2 months). In conclusion, short time to PSA progression, severe pain, and short PSADT are three risk factors of progression of bone scan for CRPC patients. The predictive nomogram model may be a valuable numerical assessment tool for patient consultation and treatment decision.

A Phase II trial of dosage escalation of sorafenib in Asian patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

AIM: To investigate the role of sorafenib dosage escalation in Asian patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma that had progressed after routine dosages. PATIENTS & METHODS: Sorafenib dosage escalation to 600 or 800 mg twice a day was offered to 41 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who had progressed on normal dosages. Clinical outcome, toxicity and favorable clinical covariables for progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated. RESULTS: The median PFS with dosage-escalated therapy was 7 months. Drug-related adverse events were tolerable. The pre-escalation Karnofsky performance status, serum calcium concentration, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, PFS and the highest toxicity grade at the routine dosage were associated with a longer PFS in the dosage-escalation period. CONCLUSION: Sorafenib dosage escalation was efficacious and tolerable in Asian patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (no. ChiCTR-ONRC-12002088).

Visceral fat accumulation is associated with different pathological subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC): a multicentre study in China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether visceral obesity is associated with certain histological subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) ina multicentre Chinese cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A kidney tumour database was created using three tertiary centres in China; 487 patients were enrolled presenting with localised RCC and complete computer tomography(CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) information. A single-slice CT image was used to measure the area of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues in each patient. Statistical methods were used to analyse clear-cell RCC (ccRCC) and non-clear-cell RCC (non-ccRCC) as they relate to visceral fat area (VFA) and other risk factors, such as age, gender, tumour size, diabetes, hypertension, total fat area (TFA) and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: In all, 418 patients had a ccRCC subtype and 69 had a non-ccRCC subtype. For all the patients with RCC, the mean VFA was 102 cm2, while mean BMI was 24 kg/m2. The mean VFA was greater in ccRCC than non-ccRCC patients by 25 cm2. There were significant differences in the mean VFA and TFA between patients with ccRCC and those with non-ccRCC.Multivariate analysis showed that the presence ofVFA was more important than the effects of BMI and Type 2 diabetes on pathology prediction. In patients with a normal BMI, those with a higher quartile of VFA were more likely to develop ccRCC than those with a low VFA. CONCLUSIONS: Increased visceral fat was found to be associated with ccRCC and the significance of VFA outweighed the effects of BMI and Type 2 diabetes for the prediction of RCC pathology in multivariate analyses. As a result, VFA could constitute a primary explanation for the link between obesity and ccRCC.

[Exploratory analysis of the effect of toxicity of sunitinib on the clinical outcome of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of toxicity of sunitinib on the clinical outcome of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) . METHODS: A total of 136 patients with advanced RCC were treated with sunitinib from 2008 to 2011. There were 91 males and 45 females with an average age of 56 years. Their 6-week therapy cycle was 4 weeks of sunitinib 50 mg daily followed by 2-week off-treatment (schedule 4/2). The median follow-up time was 15 months. Correlation between toxicities and overall survival (OS) was evaluated in a Cox model using log-transformed levels after adjusting for MSKCC model.Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard model were used to assess the value of drug toxicity as the prognostic factors. RESULTS: The increased hemoglobin on cycle 1 day 14 (HR:0.950, 95%CI:0.923-0.978) and the increased lymphocytes on cycle 1 days 28 and 42 (HR:0.405, 95%CI:0.203-0.809, HR:0.394, 95%CI:0.179-0.867) were significantly associated with OS (P adj = 0.001, 0.014 and 0.022 respectively). Hypertension class III/IV (HR:0.066, 95%CI:0.008-0.582), and the number of neutrophils screening and lymphocyte count ratio (HR:2.537, 95%CI:1.182-5.404) were the survival prognosis independent predictors. CONCLUSION: Early hematopoietic toxicities may potentially predict the outcomes of advanced RCC after a therapy of sunitinib.

The effectiveness of the TAX 327 nomogram in predicting overall survival in Chinese patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Based on the results of TAX 327, a nomogram was developed to predict the overall survival of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) after first-line chemotherapy. The nomogram, however, has not been validated in an independent dataset, especially in a series out of clinical trials. Thus, the objective of the current study was to validate the TAX 327 nomogram in a community setting in China. A total of 146 patients with mCRPC who received first-line chemotherapy (docetaxel or mitoxantrone) were identified. Because clinical trials are limited in mainland China, those patients did not receive investigational treatment after the failure of first-line chemotherapy. The predicted overall survival rate was calculated from the TAX 327 nomogram. The validity of the model was assessed with discrimination, calibration and decision curve analysis. The median survival of the cohort was 21 months (docetaxel) and 19 months (mitoxantrone) at last follow-up. The predictive c-index of the TAX 327 nomogram was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.54-0.70). The calibration plot demonstrated that the 2-year survival rate was underestimated by the nomogram. Decision curve analysis showed a net benefit of the nomogram at a threshold probability greater than 30%. In conclusion, the present validation study did not confirm the predictive value of the TAX 327 nomogram in a contemporary community series of men in China, and further studies with a large sample size to develop or validate nomograms for predicting survival and selecting therapies in advanced prostate cancer are necessary.