[Colorectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation: a clinicopathological analysis of eight cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of colorectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation (CAED). Methods: Eight cases of CAED diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China from January 2017 to August 2023 were collected. The histopathological, immunohistochemical, molecular and prognostic features of 8 CAED cases were analyzed. The relevant studies were also reviewed. Results: Among the eight patients, there were six males and two females, with an average age of 58 years (range: 29-77 years, median age: 61.5 years). Preoperative serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were elevated in five patients (14.0-286.6 µg/L). Four tumors were located in the colon, and four tumors in the rectum. Two patients were clinically staged as advanced stage (stage Ⅳ), and distant metastasis occurred at the initial diagnosis (one case had liver metastasis, and the other had lung, bone and multiple lymph nodes metastases). Six patients were clinically staged as locally-advanced stage (Stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ). Three of them developed distant metastases after surgery (one case had liver metastasis, one case had lung metastasis, and one case had peritoneal metastasis). Additionally, two patients died at 9 months and 24 months after surgery, respectively. The tumors were composed of various proportions of adenocarcinoma components with enteroblastic differentiation (30%-100%) and classical tubular adenocarcinoma components. The component with enteroblastic differentiation exhibited morphology similar to embryonic intestinal epithelium: cuboidal or columnar tumor cells arranged in tubular, papillary, cribriform, or solid nest patterns, with clear cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical studies showed that tumor cells expressed at least one oncofetal protein (SALL4, Glypican-3, and AFP). In addition, focal squamous differentiation was observed in 3 cases (3/8). Compared to the primary tumor, both CAED and squamous differentiation components were increased in the metastatic tumors. Based on the sequencing results of KRAS, NRAS and BRAF of the primary and/or metastatic tumors, 5 cases were wild-type, while KRAS exon 2 (G13D) mutations were identified in 2 cases. Conclusions: CAED is a rare colorectal malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Accurate pathological diagnosis is prognostically valuable. The histological features of enteroblastic differentiation, elevated serum AFP levels, and the expression of oncofetal proteins play an important role in the tumor diagnosis.

[Analysis of 15 cases of toxic encephalopathy caused by acute benzene poisoning].

In this paper, the MRI manifestations of 15 patients with benzene toxic encephalopathy were analyzed, and the lesion location, shape, scope and signal were observed. The clinical manifestations of 15 patients were mainly central nervous system damage, and the MRI manifestations were characteristic, with a wide range of lesions, and the shapes were "sunflower-like", "flame-like", "bracket-like" and "butterfly-like", and the MRI signal was sheet-like long T(1), long T(2), fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) high signal, apparent diffusion coeffecient (ADC) map low, equal or high signals. When the patient's diagnosis is unclear, MRI examination may provide clinical basis for diagnosis.

[Gastric SWI/SNF-complex deficient undifferentiated/rhabdoid carcinoma: a clinicopathological study].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunohistochemical characteristics, differential diagnosis and prognosis of gastric SWI/SNF-complex deficient undifferentiated/rhabdoid carcinomas. Methods: Two cases of gastric SWI/SNF-complex deficient undifferentiated/rhabdoid carcinoma were collected at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China from 2017 to 2018. The clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemical stains were performed, and the relevant literatures were reviewed. Results: The two patients were both male, aged 60 and 74 years, respectively. Their symptoms were both abdominal pain. The tumor arose in the esophagogastric junction in case 1, and the cardia to the fundus and the posterior wall of the upper part of gastric body in case 2. Both tumors were present as an ulcerative mass. The patients died of tumor 11 months and 8 months after surgery, respectively. Histologically, the tumor cells arranged in sheets, nests, cords or trabecular patterns, and pseudoavleolar structure. The tumor cells were epithelioid with uniform morphology, while the tumors showed scant stroma and massive necrosis. Variable rhabdoid cells and multinucleated giant cells were seen in both cases. SMARCA4 encoding protein BRG1 was undetectable in both tumors, while SMARCB1 encoding protein INI1 was detected. The tumor cells were diffusely positive for vimentin and negative for epithelial marker (CKpan), gastrointestinal stromal tumor markers (CD117 and DOG1), myogenic markers (desmin and myogenin), melanoma markers (S-100 protein, SOX10 and HMB45), and lymphohematopoietic markers (LCA and CD20). Conclusions: Gastric SWI/SNF-complex deficient undifferentiated/rhabdoid carcinoma is a rare and highly aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. The detection of subunits protein expression of SWI/SNF complex is important for diagnosis of the tumor.

[A novel attention fusion network-based multiple instance learning framework to automate diagnosis of chronic gastritis with multiple indicators].

Objective: To explore the performance of the attention-multiple instance learning (MIL) framework, an attention fusion network-based MIL, in the automated diagnosis of chronic gastritis with multiple indicators. Methods: A total of 1 015 biopsy cases of gastritis diagnosed in Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China and 115 biopsy cases of gastritis diagnosed in Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Shanghai, China were collected from January 1st to December 31st in 2018. All pathological sections were digitally converted into whole slide imaging (WSI). The WSI label was based on the corresponding pathological report, including "activity" "atrophy" and "intestinal metaplasia". The WSI were divided into a training set, a single test set, a mixed test set and an independent test set. The accuracy of automated diagnosis for the Attention-MIL model was validated in three test sets. Results: The area under receive-operator curve (AUC) values of Attention-MIL model in single test sets of 240 WSI were: activity 0.98, atrophy 0.89, and intestinal metaplasia 0.98; the average accuracy of the three indicators was 94.2%. The AUC values in mixed test sets of 117 WSI were: activity 0.95, atrophy 0.86, and intestinal metaplasia 0.94; the average accuracy of the three indicators was 88.3%. The AUC values in independent test sets of 115 WSI were: activity 0.93, atrophy 0.84, and intestinal metaplasia 0.90; the average accuracy of the three indicators was 85.5%. Conclusions: To assist in pathological diagnosis of chronic gastritis, the diagnostic accuracy of Attention-MIL model is very close to that of pathologists. Thus, it is suitable for practical application of artificial intelligence technology.

[Clinicopathological features and outcome of gastroenteropancreatic high-grade (WHO G3) neuroendocrine tumors: a study of 60 cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and outcome of gastroenteropancreatic high-grade neuroendocrine tumors. Methods: A total of 60 gastroenteropancreatic high-grade neuroendocrine tumors were collected from January 1st, 2013 to December 31th, 2018 at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, with available pathology databases and clinic follow-up information. At the same time, 157 cases of gastrointestinal pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) diagnosed at the hospital in 2018 were collected and the incidence of NEN at all grades was compared. Results: There were 32 males and 28 females, aged 13-80 years (mean 54 years). Pancreas primary was the most common (48%, 29/60). Nodal metastatic rate was 9/16 and distant metastatic rate was 41%(18/44). Liver was the most common site of metastasis. Among all the gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms diagnosed in the hospital in 2018, the incidence of high-grade neuroendocrine tumors was the lowest (7%, 11/157). High-grade neuroendocrine tumors had typical pathologic features of well-differentiated/moderate neuroendocrine tumors, but with significant differences in mitotic rates. By immunohistochemical staining, most of the tumors expressed neuroendocrine markers and somatostatin receptor 2 was positive in 60% (12/20) of the cases. The average Ki-67 index was 30%-40%, and there was significant difference between cases (18%-80%). The overall survival of high-grade neuroendocrine tumors was 43 months, and the disease-free survival was 12 months. Conclusions: High-grade neuroendocrine tumor is a rare group of neuroendocrine tumors, with unique clinicopathological features and good prognosis. Pathological classification and grading of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms can help clinicians to select appropriate treatment and accurately evaluate prognosis.

[The clinical significance of osteotomy angle prediction for sagittal alignment reconstruction].

As an effective way to reconstruct the spinal alignment, osteotomy has been widely used to reconstruct the sagittal alignment of spine and achieved significant results.In order to avoid the secondary sagittal disequilibrium caused by the inaccurate osteotomy angle, it is very important to make an appropriate operation plan before the operation and evaluate the osteotomy angle accurately.At present, scholars have proposed different targets for sagittal reconstruction of the spine with different patients and diseases.They also proposed various prediction methods of osteotomy angle according to different reconstruction standards and principles, as well as the selection of osteotomy sites and methods.In this paper, the preoperative evaluation of the osteotomy angle was reviewed in terms of the target of sagittal reconstruction, the prediction of osteotomy angle and the selection of osteotomy method and osteotomy site.

Incidence and mortality of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: interim analysis of a cluster randomized controlled screening trial (PRO-NPC-001) in southern China.

BACKGROUND: Previous mass screening studies have shown that IgA antibodies against Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) can facilitate early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but the impact of EBV-antibody screening for NPC-specific mortality remains unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, cluster randomized, controlled trial for NPC screening (PRO-NPC-001) was conducted in 3 selected towns of Zhongshan City and 13 selected towns of Sihui City in southern China beginning in 2008. Serum samples of the screening group were tested for two previously selected anti-EBV antibodies. Subjects with serological medium risk were subsequently retested annually for 3 years, and those with serological high risk were referred to otorhinolaryngologists for diagnostic check-up. An interim analysis was carried out to evaluate the primary end points of the NPC-specific mortality and the early diagnostic rate, and the secondary end point of the NPC incidence, through linkage with the database of Zhongshan City. RESULTS: Among 70 296 total subjects, 29 413 screened participants (41.8% of the total subjects) in the screening group and 50 636 in the control group, 153 (43.3 per 100 000 person-year), 62 (55.3 per 100 000 person-year) and 99 (33.1 per 100 000 person-year) NPC cases were identified. The early diagnostic rates of NPC were significantly higher in the participants (79.0%, P < 0.0001) and the screening group (45.9%, P < 0.0001) compared with the control group (20.6%). Although no differences were found between NPC-specific mortality of the screening group and the control group [relative risk (RR)= 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37-1.79], lower NPC-specific mortality was noticed among participants from the screening group versus the control group (RR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.09-0.49). CONCLUSION: IgA antibodies against EBV can identify high-risk population and was effective in screening for early asymptomatic NPC. Although the mortality reduction was not significant in the primary end point, we noted encouraging evidence of a mortality reduction in screening participants in this interim analysis. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT00941538.

[Clinicopathological significance of ISYNA1 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma].

Objective: To study the expression of ISYNA1 and association of ISYNA1 with clinicopathological significance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: Collecting clinical data and specimens of 68 PDAC patients at Department of General Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University from March 2008 to December 2017.There were 39 males and 29 females, aged 33 to 81 years(median 59 years).The expression of ISYNA1 in 68 paraffin embedded PDAC specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry,in which 34 had paired non-cancerous pancreatic tissues,the relationship between ISYNA1 expression and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed; and the correlation between ISYNA1 and p53 in 48 PDAC specimens were estimated.qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to examine the expression of ISYNA1 mRNA and protein level in 17 paired fresh PDAC specimens and adjacent non-cancerous pancreatic tissues,respectively.siRNA interference was used to knockdown the expression of p53 in Capan-2,SW1990 and Miapaca-2 cells,and association of p53 with ISYNA1 expression was explored. Statistical methods included Student's test,χ(2) test, Kaplan-Meier curve, Log-rank test and Pearson analysis, respectively. Results: Immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression of ISYNA1 in PDAC(3.681±2.198)was significantly lower than that in normal pancreatic tissues(6.012±3.428)(t=-3.611,P=0.001).In 17 paired fresh PDAC specimens,ISYNA1 mRNA expression in non-cancerous pancreatic tissues(()ΔC(T): (3.721±2.234)was obviously higher than that in PDAC tissues ()ΔC(T): (5).889±1.607) (t=-4.636,P<0.01), and ISYNA1 protein level in non-cancerous pancreatic tissues(0.815±0.418)was similarly higher than that in PDAC tissues(0.517±0.240)(t=2.948,P=0.009).χ(2) test showed the expression of ISYNA1 was negatively associated with tumor invasion depth(χ(2)=7.534,P=0.030)and vascular invasion(χ(2)=5.048,P=0.043);Pearson analysis showed there was no relationship between ISYNA1 and mutant p53(χ(2)=1.377,P=0.359).In p53 wild-type Capan-2 and SW1990 cells,Knockdown of p53 significantly down regulated ISYNA1 expression, whereas had no effect on ISYNA1 expression in p53 mutant Miapaca-2 cells. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Log-Rank test indicated patients with negative ISYNA1 expression had a shorter median survival time and poorer prognosis(χ(2)=4.953, P=0.026). Conclusions: The expression of ISYNA1 in PDAC tissues is significantly decreased,which is associated with the prognosis of PDAC patients,it is only related to wild type p53,and has no relationship with mutant p53.Abnormal expression of ISYNA1 may play an important role in the progression of PDAC.

Elastosonography and two-dimensional ultrasonography in diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer.

AIM: To compare diagnostic value of two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonography and elastosonography for suspected axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Elastosonography and 2D ultrasonography were performed on 78 axillary lymph nodes of 78 patients with suspected breast cancer. Scores of shape, long- to short-axis ratio, cortical thickness, and lymph node hilum were summed as the score of each lymph node at 2D ultrasonography, while a four-point scale was adopted for elasticity scoring. The combined score of each lymph node was obtained by summing the score at 2D ultrasonography and that at elasticity scoring. The strain ratio was calculated by comparison of the average strain of the lymph node with that of the subcutaneous tissue. Diagnostic efficacies of 2D ultrasonography, elasticity scoring, and the combined method were compared. RESULTS: There were 78 axillary lymph nodes, including 34 non-metastatic and 44 metastatic nodes. The elasticity scores of non-metastatic and metastatic axillary lymph nodes were 1.44±0.82 and 3.11±0.75, respectively (p<0.05). The difference in area under the operating characteristic curve (AUC) was statistically significant between 2D ultrasonography and the combined method (p<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 2D ultrasonography and elasticity scoring were 77.3% versus 86.4%, 76.5% versus 85.3%, and 76.9% versus 85.9%, respectively (all p>0.05), and those of the combined method were 93.2%, 73.5%, and 84.6%, respectively. There was a significant difference in sensitivity between 2D ultrasonography and the combined method (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combined application of 2D ultrasonography with elastosonography can improve the diagnostic capability for metastatic axillary lymph node characterisation in breast cancer.

[Diagnostic significance of serum free DNA human telomerase reverse transcriptase quantitative determination on spinal cord injury].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the content of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and its clinical features in serum free DNA in patients with different degree of spinal cord injury. Methods: From December 2013 to December 2016, inpatients of the Central Hospital of Bazhong, Sichuan Province were enrolledand divided into the experimental group, the disease control group and the negative control group. For the experimental group: 46 patients with spinal cord injury were graded according to the criteria of the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury (ASIA), including 12 cases of grade A, 10 cases of grade B, 10 cases of grade C, 7 cases of grade D and 7 cases of grade E; for the disease control group: 15 patients with spinal fractures (without spinal cord injury) at the same period were included; and for the negative control group: 20 healthy adult volunteers aged 18-50 years were selected.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and immunoblotting were performed to detect the content of hTERT in serum free DNA both in patients and healthy controls and to compare the difference between them. The results of the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) of all patients were compared and analyzed.The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of hTERT content in serum free DNA in patients with spinal cord injury. Results: Comparison of serum free DNA hTERT content: in the experimental group, the serum free DNA hTERT content of grade A, B, C, D, E was (99.63±8.23), (76.24±4.37), (46.07±5.43), (16.30±0.95) and (15.74±1.12)µg/L, respectively.While it was (15.01±1.39)µg/L in the disease control group and (14.54±1.03)µg/L in the negative control group. The total difference was statistically significant between patients of each group and the control group (F=857.917, P<0.001). Comparison of the protein content of TERT: in the experimental group, the protein content of TERT of grade A, B, C, D, E was 0.736±0.214, 0.641±0.172, 0.606±0.184, 0.411±0.132 and 0.307±0.152, respectively.The protein content of TERT in the disease control group and the negative control group was about 0.312±0.098 and 0.322±0.177, the difference between patients of each group and the control group was statistically significant (F=62.461, P<0.001). Detection results of surface evoked potential (SEP) showed that in the experimental group, level A patients all had conduction block.Two cases of level B patients had conduction block and 8 cases had delayed conduction.Among level C patients, 1 case had conduction block, 9 cases had delayed conduction.Among level D patients and patients from the control group and the negative control group, SEP detection all had no conduction block. Conclusion: The detection of the hTERT content in serum free DNA in patients with spinal cord injury has a certain guiding significance for the diagnosis of spinal cord injury and the degree of injury.

[Surgical treatment of intractable odontoid fracture with atlantoaxial dislocation in children with spinal cord injury].

Objective: To discuss the surgical treatment and its effectiveness of odontoid fracture complicated with atlantoaxial dislocation in children with spinal cord injury. Methods: From January 2010 to December 2014, 10 cases of children under 14 years old, with intractable odontoid fracture with atlantoaxial dislocation were enrolled. The mean duration between injury and admission was 8.5 d (range 1-30 d). The surgery was performed using posterior reduction and internal fixation or anterior release combined with posterior fixation. The medical date including preoperative and postoperative neurological function, degree of reduction and fusion. Results: All cases were followed-up for 12-48 months. The last follow-up X ray and CT examinations showed good reduction and fusion. No fixation failure was observed among all the patients. According to the Frankel, the preoperative neurological function was C in 2 cases, D in 4 cases, and E in 4 cases. At the last follow-up, out of 2 cases with Frankel C improved to D, and the other 8 cases were back to normal. Conclusions: Diagnosis of odontoid fracture complicated with atlantoaxial dislocation is usually delayed in children. One-stage posterior reduction and internal fixation or anterior release combined with posterior fixation is an effective and safe surgical procedure for such cases.

[HER2 status in gastric adenocarcinoma of Chinese: a multicenter study of 40 842 patients].

Objective: To investigation HER2 status in gastric adenocarcinoma of Chinese and contributing factors to the HER2 expression. Methods: HER2 status of 40 842 gastric adenocarcinomas and clinical data were retrospectively collected from 23 hospitals dated from 2013 to 2016. The association between HER2 positivity and clinicopathologic features was analyzed. Results: Of the 40 842 patients the median age was 62 years, the male female ratio was 2.6∶1.0. The rate of HER2 positivity was 8.8% (3 577/40 842). HER2 expression was related to the tissue type, tumor location, Lauren classification and tumor differentiation (P values: 0.009, 0.001, <0.01 and <0.01, respectively). Different HER2 expression status was observed between primary and recurrent tumors in 7.6% (48/635) cases. The rates of HER2 positivity ranged from 2% to 10% among different institutions. The rates of HER2 FISH amplification were dramatically different among the 23 hospitals (0-100%) with an average rate of 10% (810/8 156) in patients with HER2 IHC 2+ . Conclusions: HER2 expression is associated with clinicopathologic characteristics. HER2 re-assessment of tumor tissue and use of in situ hybridization techniques increase HER2 positivity. The current retrospective study should reflect the HER2 status in gastric adenocarcinoma of Chinese patients.

[Efficacy and safety of vertebrae pedicle subtraction osteotomy by posterior trans apical for correction of severe and rigid idiopathic scoIiosis].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pedicle subtraction osteotomy for correction of severe rigid idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: From January 2003 to December 2014, eighteen patients with severe rigid idiopathic scoliosis were treated by posterior wedge osteotomy in department of spinal surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. There were 5 males and 13 females, and the average age at was (16.9±9.1)years, and the average follow-up was 47.6 months. The coronal and sagittal Cobb's angles, sagittal trunk shifts, apical vertebral translation, height change and fusion segments were measured on standing AP and lateral radiographs before, after surgery and the final follow-up. Results: The Cobb's angle in the coronal plane was corrected from (94.3±13.3)°to (31.6±14.8)°, representing 64.8% correction rate. The Cobb's angle in the sagittal plane was corrected from (62.5±17.8)°to (27.1±11.7)°, representing 82.6% correction rate. Coronal trunk shift was obviously improved from -29.8 mm to -3.5 mm. the average fusion segments was 13.7±1.8 ranging from 11 to 17 segments. Perioperative complications consisted of pleura injury in 4 cases, cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 2 cases transient neurological damage in 2 cases and delayed infection in 1 case. Conclusion: Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy correction by the single posterior approach is a reliable and safe surgical technique for correction of severe rigid idiopathic scoliosis.

[Preoperative restricted versus liberal fluid administration on perioperative safety for pancreatic surgery: a Meta-analysis].

Objective: To assess the perioperative safety of preoperative restricted fluid administration and liberal fluid administration for pancreatic surgery. Methods: The randomized controlled trials comparing restricted and liberal in pancreatic surgery were collected by searching the databases of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library.Two reviewers independently selected studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, then extracted the data and assessed the quality of included studies.Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3 software. Results: A total of 4 studies involving 785 patients were finally included, with 396 cases in restricted group and 389 cases in liberal group.Results of Meta-analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, mortality, reoperation in-hospital and length of stay(all P>0.05). Conclusion: With regard to pancreatic surgery, restricted fluid administration do not have outstanding advantages.

Unique clustering genes in the bacterial chromosome affecting the type-III secretion of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli.

Bioinformatics analysis was used to search for unknown genes that might influence the phenotypic presentations of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). By so doing and using the known genomic data from EHEC O157 : H7 and K-12, it has been deduced that genes Z4863 to Z4866 of EHEC do not exist in K-12 strains. These four gene sequences have low degrees of homology (18-40 % amino acid identities) to a set of genes in K-12, which have been known to encode fatty acid biosynthesis enzymes. We referred these four consecutive genes as a fasyn cluster and found that deletion of fasyn from EHEC resulted in a defective type-III secretion (T3S). This deletion apparently did not decrease the amounts of the T3S proteins ectopically expressed from plasmids. Examination of the corresponding mRNAs by real-time PCR revealed that the mRNAs readily decreased in the fasyn-deleted mutant and this suppressive effect on the mRNA levels appeared to spread across all lee operons. Complementation with fasyn reverted the T3S-deficient phenotype. Furthermore, this reversion was also seen when the mutant was supplemented with locus of enterocyte effacement activators (Ler or GrlA). Thus, these unique clustering genes located apart from locus of enterocyte effacement on the bacterial chromosome also play a role in affecting T3S of EHEC.

A multicentre, randomized, single-blind comparison of topical clindamycin 1%/benzoyl peroxide 5% once-daily gel versus clindamycin 1% twice-daily gel in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris in Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris affects up to 54% of Chinese adolescents. Combination therapy has become the recommended standard of care for acne. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of clindamycin (1%) and benzoyl peroxide (5%) (CDP/BPO) gel once daily vs. clindamycin (1%) (CDP) monotherapy gel twice daily in Chinese patients with mild to moderate acne. METHODS: 1020 patients (aged 12-45 years) with mild to moderate acne were randomized (1 : 1); 1016 patients were treated with CDP/BPO (n = 500) or CDP (n = 516) for a 12-week treatment period. Efficacy assessments were performed at baseline, and at weeks 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12; and primarily included change in total lesion count (inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions), and proportion of patients with a minimum 2-grade improvement in Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) score. Patient safety and local tolerability were also evaluated. RESULTS: Patients in CDP/BPO group showed a greater per cent reduction in total lesion count compared with patients in CDP group at week 12 (delta = -0.05; 95% CI = -0.09, -0.02; P = 0.003); statistically significant reduction in lesion count was noted as early as week 1 and continued through week 12. A greater proportion of patients in CDP/BPO group showed a ≥2-grade improvement in ISGA score at week 12 compared with CDP group (30.2% vs. 22.7%; P = 0.018). Overall, the incidence of adverse events (AEs) was higher in the CDP/BPO group (14.4%) than in the CDP group (7.9%); the most commonly reported events were generally related to application site reactions (erythema, pruritus and swelling). Incidence of drug-related AEs was 8.6% in CDP/BPO group and 1.2% in CDP group. Both groups showed trends towards reduction in investigator and subject rated local tolerability scores. CONCLUSION: CDP/BPO gel demonstrated superior efficacy over CDP gel along with acceptable safety and tolerability in Chinese patients with mild to moderate acne. GOV NUMBER: NCT01915732.

Combined effect of traditional Chinese and Western medicine on inflammatory factors in patients with diabetes-induced xerophthalmia.

Diabetes-induced xerophthalmia is a general metabolic disorder with high incidence and increased treatment difficulty. Our study aimed to explore the combined effect of traditional Chinese and Western medicines on diabetes-associated xerophthalmia. We recruited 60 diabetic xerophthalmia patients, and randomly assigned them to either the control (Western medicine treatment) or the experimental (combined treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine) groups. Pre-treatment and post-treatment analyses were performed to assess the combined therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese and Western medicine on xerophthalmia-associated indicators. We found that the experimental group expressed reduced levels of IL-1, IL-8, and TNF-α (P < 0.05) as compared to the control group. Furthermore, the experimental group showed higher treatment efficacy as compared to the control group (85.00 vs 51.67% Z = 22.244, P < 0.05). In addition, break-up time (t = 20.582, P < 0.05) and tear section (t = 23.082, P < 0.05) was increased in the experimental group as compared to the controls. Lastly, it was found that the combined treatment of traditional Chinese and Western medicine effectively reduced corneal injuries, as indicated by reduced fluorescein staining. This study suggested that a combination treatment consisting of both traditional Chinese and Western medicines may be effective against xerophthalmia in diabetes, and that inflammatory factors are potential biomarkers to examine the treatment efficacy.

[Diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculous primary psoas abscess].

Objective: To retrospective analysis the clinical characteristics of diagnosis and treatment the disease of tuberculous psoas abscess (TPA). Method: The medical records of 13 consecutive patients presenting to our hospital with TPA were reviewed from November 2002 to December 2015.Demographic data, presenting features, predisposing factors and the investigations performed were recorded and the outcomes were analysed. Results: The thirteen patients were included, 11 cases all had lower backache, 6 cases had Lower abdomen or groin area pain, 2 cases had fever, eleven cases were treated with Open drainage, one with Ultrasound guided drainage, and the last case used antibiotics alone, median hospital stay of 35 days, follow-up showed no recurrence or death in patients. Conclusion: The incidence of TPA is probably underreported.The vague presentation leads to delays in diagnosis and increases morbidity and a high index of suspicion is the key to early diagnosis.Open drainage has Lower recurrence and death rates, and used widely, is the most reliable method for the treatment of primary tuberculous psoas abscess.

[Relationship and clinicopathological significance of Numb and epithelial-mesenchymal transition related proteins in human pancreatic cancer].

Objective: To study the relationship and clinicopathological significance of Numb and epithelial-mesenchymal transition related proteins in human pancreatic cancer(PC). Methods: Sixty-three cases of pancreatic cancer tissues were obtained from department of gastrointestinal surgery in the First Hospital of China Medical University from January 2005 to December 2012, all samples were histopathologically proved to be adenocarcinoma. The expressions of Numb, E-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in 63 cases of pancreatic cancer specimens were detected by immunohistochemistry. Western blot and real-time PCR were used to examine the protein and mRNA levels in two pancreatic cancer cell lines. Pearson and chi-squared tests were used to analyze the relationship and clinicopathological characters with PC patients. Kaplan-Meier curve and log rank test were used to estimate the difference of PC patients' survival. Results: The positive rates of Numb, E-cadherin and Vimentin expressions were 46.0%, 41.3% and 28.6%, respectively. Numb expression was negatively associated with tumor size, differentiation and UICC stage(r=-0.310, P=0.010; r=-0.359, P=0.004; r=-0.228, P=0.020), while E-cadherin expression was negatively related with tumor differentiation(r=-0.316, P=0.012). In contrast, Vimentin expression was positively related with pancreatic cancer differentiation and lymph metastasis(r=0.264, P=0.036; r=0.274, P=0.030). Correlation analysis showed Numb had a positive association with E-cad expression(r=0.325, P=0.010), but had no association with Vimentin. Moreover, patients with co-expression of Numb and E-cadherin had a significantly better overall survival in Kaplan-Meier univariate analysis(P=0.046). Immunoblotting and real-time PCR showed that high Numb protein and mRNA levels in BxPC-3 cells were followed with high E-cadherin and low Vimentin expressions, whereas low Numb protein and mRNA levels in PANC-1 cells were followed with low E-cadherin and high Vimentin expressions, respectively. Conclusions: Numb has a positive relationship with E-cadherin in both pancreatic cancer tissues and cells.The interaction between them might participate in the initiation and development of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer.