Genes involved in pericyte-driven tumor maturation predict treatment benefit of first-line FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Pericytes are crucial for angiogenesis. The impact of pericyte function to bevacizumab efficacy in mCRC treatment has not been comprehensively examined. This retrospective study investigated germline polymorphisms in genes related to early pericyte maturation to predict bevacizumab efficacy in 424 patients of two clinical trials treated first line with FOLFIRI+bevacizumab. Eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were tested for potential biomarker value: RGS5 (regulator of G-protein signaling 5; rs1056515, rs2661280), PDGFR-ß (platelet-derived growth factor receptor-ß; rs2229562, rs2302273), CSPG4 (chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan NG2; rs8023621, rs1127648) and RALBP1 (RalA binding protein 1; rs10989, rs329007). For progression-free survival (PFS), PDGFR-ß (rs2302273) was able to define significantly different patient cohorts in uni- and multivariate testing. RALPB1 (rs329007) showed predictive value for tumor response. The C allele in RGS5 (rs2661280) predicted longer overall survival and CSPG4 rs1127648 was associated with differences in PFS, but for both value was lost when multivariate analysis was applied. A comprehensive statistical analysis revealed that the biomarker value of the SNPs was dependent on primary tumor location. This is the first study to identify pericyte germline polymorphisms associated with clinical outcome in mCRC patients treated first line with FOLFIRI+bevacizumab. The differences seen with regard to primary tumor location may lead to further research to understand the clinical outcome differences seen in right- and left-sided colon cancer.

[The relationship between pathology and imaging overview in pediatric nasal tumors].

Objective:To study the clinical features and nasal image of children with nasal tumors.Method:The samples of 40 cases of pediatric nasal tumors, which were diagnosed based on pathology, were collected. Clinical features, pathological histology and imaging characteristics were also summarized.Result:There were 23 cases of benign tumors and 17 cases of malignancy. The most common benign tumors were angiofibroma (7 cases), capillary hemangioma (4 cases) and ossifying fibroma (4 cases), while the most common malignant tumors were lymphoma (10 cases) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (3 cases). In all cases, 10 tumors arose from sinus, 7 tumors limited in the nasal cavity or nasal vestibule, 8 tumors located in sinonasal, 10 tumors are originated from nasopharyngeal area and (or) postnaris, 3 cases located in the lateral nasal, 2 cases located in the nasal septum. CT or MRI found that 13 cases showed bone destruction, 5 cases showed bone absorption, 14 cases involvement of adjacent structure, 6 cases with cervical lymph node enlargement.Conclusion:The common nasal tumors in children include lymphoma, angiofibroma, capillary hemangioma, ossifying fibroma and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Clinical manifestations of pediatric nasal tumors were atypical, the diagnosis mainly dependent on pathology and imaging examination. CT and MRI examination can well depict the site of tumors, the bone change of the around situation and the encroachment of the tumor accurately, and may play an important role in clinical diagnosis and staging of the tumors, constituting the treatment plan and prognosis evaluation.

Thermal shock fracture mechanics analysis of a semi-infinite medium based on the dual-phase-lag heat conduction model.

The generalized lagging behaviour in solids is very important in understanding heat conduction in small-scale and high-rate heating. In this paper, an edge crack in a semi-infinite medium subjected to a heat shock on its surface is studied under the framework of the dual-phase-lag (DPL) heat conduction model. The transient thermal stress in the medium without crack is obtained first. This stress is used as the crack surface traction with an opposite sign to formulate the crack problem. Numerical results of thermal stress intensity factor are obtained as the functions of crack length and thermal shock time. Crack propagation predictions are conducted and results based on the DPL model and those based on the classical Fourier heat conduction model are compared. The thermal shock strength that the medium can sustain without catastrophic failure is established according to the maximum local stress criterion and the stress intensity factor criterion.

Relationship between Pap smear performance and physician ordering a mammogram.

BACKGROUND: Although Pap smear screening for cervical cancer in general has been successfully implemented, mammography screening for breast cancer remains relatively underused. Patients having one screening test are more likely to have other screening tests performed. The objective of this study was to determine whether visits by women for Pap smears serve as opportunities for physicians to order a screening mammogram. METHODS: A matched case-control design was used for this retrospective study. Eligible women included those over 50 years of age who had no history of breast cancer or mastectomy and who had made at least one visit to a family practice residency program during the 2-year study period. Cases were randomly selected from women who had mammograms performed. For each case, one control subject who did not have a mammogram was matched by age and number of visits. A chart audit was performed to collect data on the characteristics of these women and whether they completed their screening tests. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratio (controlling for the patient's age and number of physician visits) for mammogram completion among women who had a Pap smear compared with those who did not was 6.67. This effect persisted after controlling for other confounding factors using logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: Performing a Pap smear appears to serve as a prompt for the physician to order a screening mammogram. That physicians appear to provide screening tests, particularly Pap smears and mammograms, as a package of services should be considered when future efforts to improve implementation are made.

[The treatment of nasal adhesion after radiotherapy in the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: In order to find a best way for treating the nasal adhesion after radiotherapy in the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHOD: 4 cases of nasal adhesion after radiotherapy in the patients with NPC were operated by the way through palate. 32 cases were operated under endoscope, in them, 26 cases were set a tube in nasal cavity after operation, and the other 6 cases were not. And the postoperative consequences were analyzed. RESULT: The curative effect of the reconstruction of nasal cavity with a tube through palate are favorable, but the processes are too complex and the trauma are too large for patients. Whereas the way which only sever the nasal adhesion under endoscope is simple, but the disease recur easily. The reconstruction of nasal cavity with a tube under endoscope not only predigest the operation, but also obtain the well effect. CONCLUSION: The reconstruction of nasal cavity with a tube under endoscope is a good way to treat nasal adhesion.